2023 Tyrrell's 8 Acres Shiraz 750ml

Overview

A remarkable single-vineyard Hunter Valley Shiraz from Tyrrell's historic 8 Acres Vineyard, planted in 1892. One of the estate's exceptional old-vine sites, 8 Acres combines extraordinary vineyard heritage with a distinctly refined expression of Hunter Shiraz. The 2023 release is vibrant and finely structured, with red and blue fruits, floral lift and finely detailed tannins, earning 97-point reviews from James Suckling, Erin Larkin and Toni Paterson MW.

Vineyard

The 1.5-hectare 8 Acres Vineyard was planted to Shiraz in 1892 and sits just below the 4 Acres Vineyard at approximately 130 metres elevation. Its deep-red podzolic clay soils lie over limestone. The vines run north–south, perpendicular to the east–west orientation of 4 Acres, contributing to a distinctly different expression of Shiraz.

The original vines were propagated from Mount Pleasant cuttings planted in 1972 by Murray Tyrrell, themselves replicating the historic Great Red vines of Burgundy. Traditionally a component of Tyrrell's Vat 9 blend, since the 2018 vintage a single cask from 8 Acres has been bottled separately as 8 Acres Shiraz.

Winemaking

The fruit was handpicked on 21 February and hand sorted in the vineyard before undergoing whole berry fermentation in open-top vats. The wine was then matured for 14 months in a single one-year-old French oak cask.

Producer Tasting Notes

“Intense purple in colour. Bright, primary, blue-fruited and generous aromatics. Pretty and vibrant with sweet red fruits on the palate, with touches of violet. The palate is intense and generous, however refined and soft, with a round shape that coats the mouth.”

Source: Tyrrell's

Critic Reviews

97 Points — Erin Larkin, The Wine Advocate
“The 2023 8 Acres Shiraz is ultra vibrant, yet the tannins are a little closer to the surface here than they are in the 4 Acres of the same vintage. This is weightier than the 4 Acres, despite being the same vine material, planted next door, but planted to the opposite orientation…”
Drinking Window: 2024–2043

97 Points — James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com
“The purity of this wine is really something, and to think it comes from vines planted in 1892! Aromas of violets, crushed stones, oyster shells and sweet strawberries. Medium-bodied with ultra-fine tannins. Orange peel and citrus at the end. Classy. Drink or hold.”
Tasted November 2024

97 Points — Toni Paterson MW, Halliday Wine Companion
“A lively mix of red and black fruits is supported by savoury oak, with maturation taking place in a single French oak cask for 14 months. The finish is succulent, silky and fine, with moreish raspberry flavours on the close.”

96 Points — Gary Walsh, The Wine Front
“Red cherry, raspberry, gentle earthiness, a lick of vanilla and florals – really seductive. Medium-bodied, ripe red fruit, succulent, so inviting… The finish is long. The wine is thoroughly delicious.”

96 Points — Huon Hooke, The Real Review
“Deep, bright, bold purple-red colour shines in the glass. There are richer, darker fruit aromas than the 4 Acres, together with a fuller body and more lavish tannins… A superb wine, loaded with flavour and fine powdery tannins, the aftertaste tremendously long.”
Tasted 12 December 2024

Specifications

• Vintage: 2023
• Grape Variety: Shiraz
• Country: Australia
• Region: Hunter Valley, New South Wales
• Vineyard: 8 Acres Vineyard
• Vineyard Size: 1.5 hectares
• Vineyard Planted: 1892
• Elevation: Approximately 130 metres
• Soil: Deep-red podzolic clay over limestone
• Harvest: Handpicked and hand sorted
• Fermentation: Whole berry fermentation in open-top vats
• Maturation: 14 months in a single one-year-old French oak cask
• Alcohol: 14.0%
• Production: 2,800 bottles
• Drinking Window: 2024–2043