2022 Wirra Wirra RSW Shiraz

96 POINTS

Marcus Ellis - Halliday Wine Companion

A mild season, again, and an elegant RSW, though still bristling with dark berries and plum, with some blue fruit echoes. Black tea, dried violet, some dried olive, dark panforte and amaro, licorice powder, old leather and tar. There’s an appealing savouriness to this, and a weight that sits below the fuller side of things, the detail clearly rendered, the tannic architecture resolute but not strident. It’s a very good release.

95 POINTS

Angus Hughson - Vinous

The 2022 Shiraz RSW is a sturdy rendition of this label, packed tight with dense fruit and surprising structure. It offers tight, brooding and focused aromas of dark earth, blackberry, spice and dried herbs. That savory theme continues thanks to a firm meaty core of flavor and robust gravelly tannins. The 2022 is impressive and built to last.

94 POINTS

James Suckling

Aromas of mulberry bush, licorice, bay leaves and iodine on the nose. The palate is full-bodied with finely integrated tannins and a plush mouthfeel, giving notes of mocha, salt bush and blackcurrants. Velvety tannins and a seamless finish. Made from 50-year-old vines farmed biodynamically, showing a high level of sophistication and polish. Excellent.

93 POINTS

Campbell Mattinson - The Wine Front

There’s an elegance to this wine. It tastes of redcurrant, olives, dried herbs and leather, with whispers (but no more than that) of vanilla, bay leaves and milk chocolate. There’s a brine-like note here too, and excellent cohesion/integration, and finesse to both the tannin and too the finish itself. It’s a polished, well-measured wine. Quality-wise it’s not banging the door down but it is still very good.

92 POINTS

Erin Larkin - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

The fruit for the 2022 RSW Shiraz hails from three vineyard blocks—planted in 1960, 1962 and 1972. Two of these blocks are biodynamic, and the third is in Blewitt Springs. The fruit was hand plunged in small open-top fermenters, and the blended parcels were matured for 18 months in French oak (33% new). In the mouth, the wine is bright with fruit and firm with tannin; the structure leans toward the black and tight, almost austere, and the acidity woven through the finish feels hard. 2022 was a lovely vintage in McLaren Vale, slightly cooler and a bit wetter than the excellent 2021 before it, which has resulted in wines of tremendous cushioning and power. 14.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.