2018 Wild Duck Creek Estate Shiraz Reserve 750ml

Estate grown Shiraz of exceptional quality.

No stone is left unturned in the production of Shiraz Reserve. The vineyards are cared for meticulously through hard cane pruning, shoot thinning in spring, under-vine mulching, as well as fruit thinning if needed at veraison to control yield and separate bunches. The fruit is then partly destemmed, often using up to 50% whole bunches in the ferment to create layers of texture, slow down fermentation and control temperature. The resulting wine is then basket pressed into 100% new French oak barriques where it will lay for up to 27 months depending on the vintage.

A rich, luscious, sweet-fruited wine. In fact the oak here too is pretty damn seductive; cedarwood with high toast notes, and plenty of it. Cured meat, coffee grounds, saturated plum and sweet spice. The flavours almost roil, such is their intensity. At 16.3% it’s high octane but it somehow manages to feel balanced. An undeniable style of undeniable quality. Drink 2021 - 2028+
94 Points
Campbell Mattinson - The Wine Front (October 2020)

15.9% alc.