Dry Grown Shiraz 2022

Review

93 Points – Mike Bennie

"This is right on medium-bodied with a satiny, textural appeal and a fine, sleek sheath of graphite-laced tannins. Scents and flavours of raspberry, squished strawberry, clove and caraway seeds, faint sea spray, bay leaf and alpine herbs. It feels elegant and compact, yet effortlessly drinkable. Charming."

Technical Details

• Alcohol: 14.0% Alc/Vol

Tasting Notes

Deep ruby-plum in colour, this cool-climate Shiraz opens with lifted aromas of black pepper, dark plum and blackberry, complemented by layers of vanilla, mocha and warming spice from its carefully selected oak maturation. Hints of raspberry, bay leaf and savoury herbs add further complexity.

The palate is medium-bodied, silky and beautifully balanced, combining juicy dark fruit with fine natural tannins and integrated oak. A maturation regime using French, American and Hungarian oak contributes notes of vanilla, dark chocolate and subtle clove, creating a wine with impressive depth, elegance and a long, refined finish.

Vineyard

Fruit is sourced from our 49-year-old, 12-hectare dry-grown vineyard in Mount Barker, Great Southern. Grown without irrigation on ancient gravelly loam soils, these low-yielding vines produce intensely flavoured berries with exceptional concentration and structure. The cool climate allows for slow ripening, preserving freshness while building complexity and balance.

Vintage Comments

The 2022 vintage commenced around two weeks later than recent seasons, following a wet winter and spring before periods of intense summer heat and strong easterly winds. Cooler autumn conditions encouraged slow ripening, rewarding careful vineyard management with fruit displaying excellent colour, flavour concentration and refined tannin structure. The result is an elegant, balanced Shiraz with outstanding ageing potential.

Winemaking

Fruit from both our mature old-vine Shiraz block and younger dry-grown plantings was harvested at optimal ripeness and fermented on skins to maximise colour, flavour and natural tannin extraction. The wine was then matured for a minimum of two years in a carefully selected combination of French, American and Hungarian oak.

Each oak contributes its own layer of complexity: French oak adds elegant vanilla and fine spice, American oak provides rich mocha and chocolate notes, while Hungarian oak enhances the wine with subtle clove and warming spice. The result is a harmonious, beautifully structured Shiraz that reflects the unique character of Mount Barker and the exceptional quality of the 2022 vintage.