The 2023 Wendouree Shiraz Malbec is a distinctive and uncompromising Clare Valley red, produced in the traditional, long-lived style for which Wendouree is revered. Crafted by the iconic Wendouree, this wine reflects the estate’s unwavering commitment to low yields, minimal intervention, and structure-first winemaking designed for extended cellaring.
Sourced from Wendouree’s estate vineyards in the Clare Valley, the blend combines Shiraz’s depth, spice, and structural backbone with Malbec’s dark fruit intensity and firm tannic grip. The 2023 vintage delivered healthy fruit with excellent balance, allowing full flavour development while retaining natural acidity—key to Wendouree’s signature longevity and savoury evolution.
In the winery, fruit was fermented using traditional methods, with extraction handled to emphasise structure and longevity rather than early approachability. Maturation took place in seasoned oak, avoiding overt wood influence and allowing the vineyard character and natural tannins to define the wine. As with all Wendouree releases, the wine was bottled without fining or filtration.
In its youth, the wine is tightly wound and powerful, showing aromas of blackberry, dark plum, liquorice, and spice, underpinned by savoury notes of earth, ironstone, dried herbs, and subtle meatiness. The palate is medium- to full-bodied, firm and authoritative, with dense dark fruit, pronounced tannins, and a long, drying finish that signals its serious cellaring intent.
While approachable with extended decanting, the 2023 Wendouree Shiraz Malbec is best cellared and will reward patience over 15–25+ years, developing classic Wendouree tertiary characters of leather, earth, and savoury complexity.
A quintessential Wendouree release—structured, traditional, and unapologetically built for the long haul.
