Bondar Rayner Vineyard Shiraz 2023

Bondar Rayner Vineyard Shiraz is the deepest and most structured of the estate's three Shiraz bottlings.

Two blocks carry it — planted in 1950 and 1960 respectively. Block 24 in the northeast corner supplies three-quarters, dry-grown and organic on deep sand and ironstone, and gives perfume and an elegant frame; Block 1, lying in a cool gully in the northwestern corner, brings the bones. Hand-picked fruit, wild yeast, a fortnight on skins, then twelve months in two- and three-year-old French oak and a further six in large old foudres. A high whole-bunch component and restrained wood keep the freshness alongside the old-vine intensity, and this needs more time in bottle than the Violet Hour or Midnight Hour wines.

Concentrated but taut — dark berries, pepper, woodsy spice and a long, structured close that rewards a few years in the cellar. Serve at 17 degrees, decanted. Dry-aged beef, lamb shanks with olives, or a mature washed-rind 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.