Wirra Wirra House Block Shiraz 2022

98 POINTS

Ray Jordan - Winepilot

This was such a good vintage in McLaren Vale and, in fact, throughout South Australia, so it’s little wonder a wine of this class and quality has been produced. This comes off the Wirra Wirra estate on a vineyard that was planted back in 1960 and is today farmed along biodynamic principles. This is just beautiful. It was hand plunged, basket pressed and then went into French barriques and puncheons. The aromas have a lovely cherry, blackberry and lightly plummy combination. While the palate is almost succulent with its richness and density, it displays hugely concentrated flavours with a compote of dark fruits, a plummy prune-like richness, a little dark chocolate and a fine spiciness. It’s vibrant, it’s alive and it’s thoroughly joyous to drink. Super wine.

96 POINTS

Marcus Ellis - Halliday Wine Companion

Densely fruited yet savoury, this has some Italianate charm in its host of amaro and panforte spicing and dark twists of fruit, the core intense and concentrated. There’s such charm and composure, a line of tannin carrying blackberry, olive, hardy herbs and a deep well of spice. Such a keenly made wine, all tucked in but framed so elegantly, the power given space, not adorned. A very fine thing.

94 POINTS

Campbell Mattinson - The Wine Front

From a vineyard that was planted in 1960, adjacent to the Chook Block. basket pressed, 18 months in French oak, barrel selection: two barrels selected. Bold fruit flavour but tannin is the feature here. Boysenberry, plum, saltbush, suede leather and cream characters come spread with fine-grained but assertive tannin; emphasis on the word spread. There’s a nutty dryness to this wine; there’s some warmth but it’s well controlled. This wine shows minor signs of development and while it will be long lived, it can be consumed any time from now.

94 POINTS

Angus Hughson - Vinous

The 2022 Shiraz House Block is richly flavored with lashings of chocolate, blackberry, slate and earth, with well-balanced, quality oak. This is densely styled yet kept in check by generous tannins and firmly edged acidity, which both need a little time to settle.