Art Series Shiraz

“This just might be the value buy from the Art Series range – actually, from recent releases, it surely is. From a stellar vintage, the fruit was individually berry sorted with 20% whole bunches added to the ferment. Total maturation was for a year and a half in a mix of new and slightly older barriques and larger format French oak. A dark mauve/maroon colour here, this is beautifully structured. The aromas weave through blackfruits, plums, graphite, chocolate, aniseed, smoked meats and bay leaves. The oak has been superbly handled. This is an exquisite example of Margaret River Shiraz, one of the absolute elite. It is finely balanced with an attractively supple texture, laser-like focus and impressive length. A refined style, with melting tannins, which will continue to provide enormous pleasure over the next decade. One of their very best.”

"The 2023 Art Series Shiraz, which at this stage is pre-release, shows precision and detail on the nose, with raspberry leaf tea and iodine, blood and blood orange, licorice and milk chocolate. In the mouth, the acidity is intense, but it works so nicely within the layers of gently settled tannins—like sheets of tissue paper. It's a lovely wine, wearing the benefits of intensive viticultural work and matching effort in the winery.”

“Fruit is largely from the estate’s southernmost vineyards, prime Shiraz country in Margaret River. A vibrant magenta in the glass and elegant perfume, complete with dusty blueberries, red plum, fragrant spring blossom, saltbush, smoked safe and candied aniseed. A burst of fruit sweetness on the palate, swiftly followed by attention-seeking chewy yet fine and velvety tannins. An undercurrent of refreshing acidity lifts – this is a rollercoaster of a wine. Among the sweet fruited core and wood spice, vanilla bean jostles with a bresaola meatiness. Oak is nestled in the mix, well placed with its lightly toasted cedar notes. A mid-weight Shiraz, energy and brightness are aligned with a firm backbone of structure. This has plenty going for it and will delight in the glass now or with some cellar time.”