2019 Mitchell Peppertree Shiraz, Clare Valley

A fine Clare Valley Shiraz which already has the benefit of half a dozen years development, quite amazing when one considers the price. It hails from an excellent vintage for the region. The colour is a blue/black centre with a magenta rim. The nose reveals notes of kitchen spices, herbs, black pepper and sage, with mushrooms, smoked meats, chocolate and aniseed. There is grip here, but good focus, juicy acidity and fine tannins, through to a lingering finish. A wine with surely at least another six to ten years of providing pleasure ahead of it. Lots to like and for anyone wanting to experience the impact of ageing a wine, hard to go past this. Drink to 2035.

93 points Ken Gargett for Wine Pilot, November 2025

Deep ruby with a purple core and aromas of blackberry jam and cassis, Medjool date and panforte, liquorice and smoky leaf. Full-bodied, bold and plush, with stewed fruit and Dutch cocoa pushing towards the finish with chewy, savoury tannins. At seven years old it's showing marked development but still has the structure and power to keep going for some time yet. Drink to 2035.

92 points Melissa Moore for The Real Review, September 2026

Bright red plum melds with new leather first off, followed by dried herbs, blackberry, milk chocolate, clove, game meat and mocha. It all comes together with air, allowing the leather notes to critically integrate and the fruit/savoury notes to work together. The palate is juicy and medium to full bodied with an emphasis on plum, blackberry and chocolate with leather, gentle spice, dried herbs and mocha in support. There’s good structure to this wine. The tannins are firm, grainy and drenched in the bitter mocha notes and the acid is plum-laced and persistent.  This is gamey and plush with nice complexity and structure at such a modest price point. A food wine, for sure, and one that won’t break the bank.

92 points Tom Kline for Wine Pilot, November 2025

A sturdy mix of boysenberries, black cherry and plums. There is an undercurrent of potpourri and dried rosebud. Soft licorice and raspberry tea. Carob, mace and cinnamon powder lead the spice charge with a lovely even line of smooth tannins and equal weighted acidity. Some red clay and persimmon finishes what is a very well integrated wine in a good drinking window. This maintains its red berried freshness and feels silken and continuous. Drink with chicken and chorizo and loads of soft red peppers.

92 points Shanteh Wale for Wine Pilot, November 2025

Mitchell Peppertree Shiraz from the Clare Valley is a bold yet balanced red that showcases the region’s ability to produce rich, spicy Shiraz with structure, freshness and age-worthiness. Sourced from the Mitchell family’s estate vineyards, including the iconic Peppertree block planted in 1960, this wine is steeped in heritage and made with a gentle, traditional touch. It’s a Clare Shiraz with classic lines — generous but not overdone, and full of the earthy, spicy depth that defines the best of the region.

The fruit is dry-grown and hand-picked, grown on red loam over limestone soils that contribute both concentration and natural acidity. Winemaking is minimal-intervention: wild fermentation, basket pressing, and long ageing in a mix of French and American oak, mostly older barrels, to frame the fruit without dominating it. The Mitchell family, now in their third generation of winemaking, take a slow, steady approach — releasing the wine with bottle age so it hits the glass in peak form.

In the glass, it opens with aromas of blackberry, dark plum, cracked pepper, dried herbs, and roasted spice. The palate is full-bodied but balanced, with plush dark fruit wrapped around fine tannins and a savoury backbone of earth, leather and spice. There's a touch of licorice and cedar on the long, warming finish. This is classic Clare Shiraz with depth, soul and plenty of drive.

Food pairing: Great with grilled lamb chops, beef and black pepper stew, venison pie, or eggplant moussaka. It also pairs well with sharp cheddar or aged Manchego.

Cellar potential: Drinking beautifully on release but will evolve for 10 to 15 years, gaining secondary complexity, softness and spice.