2023 Charteris Hunter Shiraz

While our harvests seem to incrementally get earlier and earlier, 2023 bucked the trend and veraison to harvest was a little old school, with comfortable January and February temperatures ensuring Shiraz ripened near perfectly into March, unheard of these days. This slow and extended ripening has delivered wines with great acid line, very fine-grained tannins and exceptional depth of fruit. As far as winemaking goes here the opportunity to really let the vines speak meant a soft touch and gentle oak use has captured a classic Hunter River Burgundy expression. Fruit to the fore, subtle winemaking hand and time will do the rest.

Deep crimson purple with a radiant purple glow. There is a distinct sense of history in this wine, very clear Hunter fruit expression. Brooding red berries and dark plum with red liquorice over exotic rose petal lift. Layers of mulberry and cherry Kirsch combine with subtle rosewood and briar to complete the aromatic landscape. There is a hedonistic perfume littered with notes of graphite and cinnamon adding to the vista. Dark berry and Black Doris plum entry with the full brown spice rack with a dusting of Anise. Silky smooth and medium bodied tannin texture, very fine grained with gentle but bright acidity on warm and vibrant fruit persistence. This is classic Hunter River Burgundy style, deep fruited but almost nervously elegant. Invisible oak. This wine will grow into its fruit and structure with time. – PJ Charteris