2021 Lethbridge Estate Shiraz Biodynamic, Geelong

Inspired by Pat Carmody’s Craiglee Shiraz and Ray Nadeson’s favourite Rhône growers, this wine is Lethbridge’s take on the more restrained and elegant style of Shiraz (or Syrah!). The 2021 is a single-vineyard wine sourced entirely from Block 6 in the Lethbridge home vineyard in the Moorabool Valley. The coolest site in the region at 270 metres, it was planted in 1996 and has thin black clay topsoil on bluestone and honeycomb basalt above limestone bedrock. Block 6 was planted in 1998 to the St Peters Clone, which traces its Australian roots back to the Seppelt St Peters Shiraz vineyard in Great Western, initially planted in 1863.

The fruit was picked by hand and fermented spontaneously in small open-top vessels with 50% whole bunches. After a long soak on skins (30+ days), the wine matured in 30% new French oak for 11 months.

So generous, silky, savoury and bright. Deliciously mid-weight, expect a radiantly structured Shiraz flecked with stony/rocky/mineral nuance. Top-notch Victorian Shiraz from a great vintage and another pearler from the Lethbridge stable.