The 2018 Wild Duck Creek Estate Shiraz Reserve is a powerful, richly textured and deeply expressive wine that embodies the bold personality of this famous Heathcote producer. Known for its intensely concentrated reds and meticulous small-batch craftsmanship, Wild Duck Creek delivers a standout expression in 2018 — a vintage marked by excellent ripening conditions and superb fruit quality.
Sourced from low-yielding vines rooted in the ancient Cambrian soils of Heathcote, the Shiraz Reserve represents a meticulous barrel selection showcasing the most opulent, structured and age-worthy parcels of the vintage. The warm, dry 2018 season produced berries of exceptional flavour concentration and colour, resulting in a wine of remarkable density and depth.
The bouquet opens with plush, seductive aromas of blackberry compote, black cherry, blueberry, plum and dark chocolate. Layers of licorice, allspice, vanilla bean, violets and roasted coffee add complexity, while subtle notes of graphite, clove and warm earth reflect the region’s mineral-rich soils and the estate’s traditional winemaking style.
On the palate, the 2018 Shiraz Reserve is full-bodied and enveloping. Saturated dark fruits flow across a velvety, richly textured frame, supported by firm yet silky tannins. The wine’s concentration is matched by impressive balance: vibrant acidity lifts the palate, while luxurious oak integration contributes spice, mocha and roasted nut characters. The finish is long, powerful and hedonistic, echoing layers of blackberry, chocolate and savoury spice.
This is a quintessential Wild Duck Creek Reserve release — bold, plush and unabashedly expressive, with significant ageing potential.
Region: Heathcote, Victoria
Variety: Shiraz
Alcohol: Typically 15%+
Drinking Window: Now – 2040+
A profoundly rich and compelling Shiraz Reserve from a benchmark producer — crafted for those who appreciate depth, power and indulgence in their cellar selections.
