The 2003 Wild Duck Creek Estate Shiraz Reserve is a bold, richly concentrated expression from one of Heathcote’s most distinctive and character-driven producers. Wild Duck Creek, founded by David and Diana Anderson, has earned a cult reputation for crafting deeply coloured, intensely flavoured Shiraz with unapologetic richness and generous oak — wines that push boundaries while remaining true to their Heathcote origins. The Shiraz Reserve sits at the top of the estate’s range and is produced only in exceptional vintages from low-yielding parcels.
The 2003 vintage in Heathcote was warm and dry, delivering small, thick-skinned berries with exceptional colour and tannin concentration. The resulting wine is powerful and opulent, bursting with aromas of blackberry liqueur, black plum, dark cherry, licorice, mocha, and exotic spice. The extended maturation in high-quality American and French oak adds notes of vanilla, espresso, cedar, and dark chocolate, amplifying the wine’s density and complexity.
On the palate, the 2003 Shiraz Reserve is richly textured and full-bodied, showing layers of ripe black fruit supported by velvety, mouth-coating tannins. The wine’s intensity is balanced by a line of savoury earth, graphite, and warm spice, giving structure and depth to the concentrated fruit core. The finish is long, bold, and warming, carrying flavours of cassis, cocoa, and sweet spice long after the last sip.
Now with significant bottle age, the wine has developed additional secondary complexity, softening the tannins while introducing notes of leather, roasted meat, and dried herbs. It remains a powerful and charismatic expression of Heathcote Shiraz, embodying the full-bodied style for which Wild Duck Creek is revered.
Region: Heathcote, Victoria
Variety: Shiraz
Alcohol: Typically high (approx. 15%+)
Drinking Window: Now – 2030
A must-have for collectors who appreciate rich, full-throttle Australian Shiraz with depth, generosity, and impressive ageing potential.
