Bondar Midnight Hour Shiraz 2024

Bondar Midnight Hour Shiraz is a brooding, whole-bunch Shiraz from the 1960 plantings at Rayner Vineyard.

The vines behind this are the second-oldest on the property, planted in 1960 in red and brown clay over limestone, and Selina describes the wine as the darker, more structural counterpart to their Violet Hour Shiraz. Soil and vine age keep the canopies small and open, so sun reaches the fruit all season, the stems ripen properly and the tannins stay supple. Ninety per cent whole bunches went into the 2024 ferment, taking a cue from the northern Rhône, and the wine spent fifteen months in old French oak. After several years of adjustment, Andre and Selina are settled on where this cuvée is heading.

Generous from the first sip, with silky bramble and forest fruit, cola spice and ripe tannin, the whole-bunch lift keeping it off the ground. Serve at 17 degrees. Beef cheek, barbecued lamb, or roast beetroot and lentils.

*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.