WENDOUREE Shiraz 2023

Robert Parker Score: 96 points

Reviewer: Erin Larkin — September 2025 Week 318 Sep 2025

Drink 2025–2043

The 2023 Shiraz is gravelly and intense—it stains the mouth with dark fruit flavor, which evolves into pomegranate, blood plum, mulberry, graphite, asphalt and ozone. This comes from the 1919 Eastern vineyard plantings, and it's a tremendously exciting wine, one that morphs and pivots over its evolution across the palate. Many drinkers will declare a preference for the Shiraz or the Cabernet wines; I have had enough great old bottles of each to know that they both remain sound investments, as they age gracefully over a long period of time in the cellar. The tannins through the finish of this wine are slightly firmer than I recall from last season's effort, but this may stand the wine in great stead in the future. Perhaps even a decant will help to give these the air they need to unwind. As I am tasting these bottles for review, all have been cracked and poured without delay or preparation. 13% alcohol, sealed under Guala screw cap.