2023 Underhill Shiraz is sourced from a single block planted in 1973 on a neighbouring property later acquired by the estate in 1988. Set on a gentle west-facing slope with clay-based soils, the site is ideally suited to producing cool-climate Shiraz of perfume, savoury complexity and finesse. The clone remains unknown and unique to this vineyard block.

The wine opens with an expressive bouquet of mixed berries, dark plum, graphite and spice, delivered in a brooding and quietly complex style. Layers of cured charcuterie, liquorice, smoky oak and aniseed unfold through the palate, while vibrant plum fruit provides depth and concentration. Medium-bodied and finely structured, the wine is driven by purity of fruit rather than power, with only subtle oak influence and a delicate whole bunch-derived stalk grip adding further detail and tension.

Fruit is hand harvested and carefully sorted before fermentation as either whole bunches or destemmed berries. Around half the fruit ferments in a large 3500L oak cask with 10% whole bunch inclusion before being pressed back into the cask for maturation. The remaining fruit ferments in small open fermenters with gentle hand plunging twice daily. The wine is matured for 12 months, split between seasoned large-format oak and French oak puncheons, with only 10% new oak used to preserve freshness and vineyard character.

A beautifully poised and savoury cool-climate Shiraz that drinks impressively young yet has the pedigree and structure to evolve gracefully for well over a decade.