Wendouree, founded in 1893 by Alfred Percy Birks in South Australia’s Clare Valley, stands as one of Australia’s most revered wine estates. Known for its century-old dry-grown vineyards and unwavering adherence to traditional methods, Wendouree produces wines of power, restraint, and extraordinary longevity. Under the stewardship of Tony and Lita Brady, each release continues the estate’s legendary legacy—crafted with integrity, precision, and timeless grace.
Vineyard
The Shiraz is sourced from the estate’s original 1893 and 1898 plantings, situated on red-brown loam over limestone soils. These ungrafted, dry-grown vines yield minuscule crops of berries of remarkable intensity and tannic structure. The wine is fermented in open slate fermenters before maturing in a combination of new and seasoned French oak. It is bottled unfiltered and unfined, preserving the essence of vineyard and season.
Vintage
The 2023 vintage in Clare Valley was mild and beautifully balanced, with a long, even ripening period that delivered fruit of superb aromatic clarity and natural acidity. The resulting wines display poise and purity—less about sheer power and more about harmony, finesse, and fine structure. The 2023 Wendouree Shiraz is a beautifully classical release—precise, fragrant, and built to evolve gracefully over decades.
Tasting Notes
Deep crimson-purple in colour. The nose opens with notes of blackberry, mulberry, and dark cherry layered with graphite, violets, and fine oak spice. The palate is medium to full-bodied, with dense yet pure black fruit, savoury spice, and a mineral core that drives through to an exceptionally long finish. Fine, chalky tannins provide structure and lift, ensuring balance and longevity. This is quintessential Wendouree—restrained, seamless, and built to age for generations.
Critics’ Acclaim
(Early assessments describe the 2023 vintage as a return to classical elegance and restraint, reminiscent of the estate’s finest mid-1990s vintages.)
Technical Information
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Region: Clare Valley, South Australia
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Variety: 100% Shiraz
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Alcohol: ~13.5%
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Maturation: French oak (new and seasoned, 12–18 months)
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Closure: Cork
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Drinking Window: 2030–2075+
A Collectible Gem
The 2023 Wendouree Shiraz is a wine of quiet power and remarkable poise. Combining the intensity of ancient vines with the finesse of a perfectly balanced vintage, it offers both immediate charm and monumental cellaring potential—a true testament to Wendouree’s enduring mastery.
