Bondar Midnight Hour Shiraz 2023

Bondar Midnight Hour Shiraz is a full whole-bunch Shiraz from the coolest McLaren Vale season in decades.

2023 followed two La Niña years and outdid both for cold, the coolest season McLaren Vale had recorded in decades. Yields were low again and harvest came two to three weeks later than the ten-year average, so the Shiraz hung a long time and built complexity to match the concentration low yields bring. The fruit comes from two blocks at Rayner, planted in 1960 and 1990 on the Seaview side in red-brown clay over limestone, farmed organically with little or no irrigation. Whole stems go into the ferment, a habit Andre brought back from the northern Rhône, then fifteen months in used French oak.

Deep and complex, silky but firm, with pure dark fruit, pepper and a fine stemmy lift. Serve at 17 degrees after a decant. Try it with slow-roast lamb shoulder, mushroom pie, or a strong hard cheese.

*Every effort is made to ensure the current vintage is accurate; however, variations can occur. If you are after a specific vintage, please contact us prior to ordering.