Dalwhinnie is one of Victoria’s most respected producers, a pioneering estate established in 1976 in the remote Moonambel sub-region of the Pyrenees. Situated at around 595 metres above sea level, the vineyards are among the highest in Victoria, set on ancient quartz and shale soils. This elevated, isolated site produces wines of great purity and definition, with long ripening seasons that build flavour slowly while preserving acidity. Over the decades, Dalwhinnie has built a reputation for crafting elegant, terroir-driven wines that balance power with finesse, and its Shiraz in particular is considered a benchmark for the region.

The ‘Moonambel’ Shiraz is the estate’s flagship expression, sourced from vines averaging more than 30 years of age. The 2021 vintage was a classic in the Pyrenees, offering a long, cool growing season that yielded fruit with exceptional balance. Fermentation took place in small open fermenters with hand plunging, followed by maturation in a mix of French oak barriques and hogsheads, a proportion of which were new. This sensitive handling highlights both the perfume and structure inherent to the site.

In the glass, the wine opens with lifted aromas of dark berries, plum, and black cherry, layered with notes of pepper, violets, and a touch of oak spice. The palate is plush yet focused, with juicy blackberry and mulberry fruit framed by fine tannins and a line of graphite-like minerality typical of the vineyard’s soils. Fresh acidity gives the wine lift and energy, carrying through to a long, savoury finish. Already approachable, it will develop further complexity over the next decade, showing why Dalwhinnie Shiraz has become a Victorian classic.