2018 Craiglee Shiraz, Sunbury

There are some wines that are special and unique because they not dictated by fashion nor shareholders. More importantly, they have a strong sense of place. That’s Craiglee. Expect a taste of dark plums, cedary oak, pepper and spice, licorice and gum leaf. The palate is full bodied, with ripe, silky tannins hugging all the way through to a resounding finish. Stamped with Craiglee DNA.

96 points Special Value Jane Faulkner winecompanion.com.au

Craiglee Shiraz from Sunbury is one of Australia’s great hidden gems—a wine of finesse, history, and pedigree that stands apart from the blockbuster styles so often associated with Australian Shiraz. Made by the legendary Pat Carmody at his historic bluestone winery just outside Melbourne, Craiglee Shiraz is a cool climate expression full of peppery spice, savoury elegance, and restrained power.

Craiglee's history stretches back to the 1860s when it was one of Victoria’s earliest vineyards, producing award-winning wines before phylloxera and changing times led to its decline. In 1976, Pat Carmody replanted the original site and began quietly crafting one of Australia’s most distinctive and consistently excellent Shirazes. He’s still at the helm today, farming the vineyard sustainably and making the wine himself in a small, hands-on cellar—a true one-man show rooted in authenticity and tradition.

The vineyard lies on the volcanic plains of Sunbury, where dark basalt soils and cool breezes off Port Phillip Bay create ideal conditions for elegant, spicy Shiraz. The grapes are hand harvested, fermented in open vats, and matured in a mix of French and American oak—mostly older—to build structure and complexity without losing fruit clarity or freshness.

In the glass, Craiglee Shiraz offers beautiful aromas of red and black cherry, cracked pepper, violet, cured meat, and ironstone. The palate is medium bodied and savoury, with fine grained tannins, bright acidity, and layers of spice, earth, and fruit that unfold with time in the glass. It’s a Shiraz that rewards decanting and cellaring, with the ability to evolve gracefully for well over a decade.

Perfect with roast lamb, chargrilled eggplant, or pepper steak, Craiglee Shiraz is a masterclass in restraint and regional identity. It remains one of Australia's most quietly iconic wines—steeped in history, made with integrity, and beloved by those who know where to look.