2022 Brokenwood Wade Block 2 Shiraz, McLaren Vale

95 points Gold at the 2023 Mclaren Vale Wine Show

Sourced from a nearly three-decade-old plot, the low-yielding Blewitt Springs vineyard, grown on its own roots in deep sand, produces a wine of great character and intensity. The wine is full bodied and beautifully plush with opulent red plums, accented by milk chocolate, spice, red rose petals and vanilla. This concentrated fruit, along with the energised acidity and structural tannin, will allow for long-term cellaring. Drink to 2042.

96 points Toni Paterson MW for Halliday Wine Companion, August 2024

Comes from a 30-year-old Blewitt Springs vineyard in McLaren Vale and is quite typical of this wonderful subregion. This is not the plump and opulent style of the greater region but with that subregional dusty dry earthiness and subtle herby character that stamps the style. It’s bright and vibrant with a high-energy palate dancing through to a very long finish. Has plenty of time possible in the cellar. Drink to 2042.

95 points Ray Jordan for Wine Pilot, November 2024

This is the 22nd release from the Wade Block 2, in McLaren Flat – not bad for a vineyard just thirty years of age. 2022 is a superb vintage in the region. The wine spent sixteen months in French oak puncheons. Dark purple maroon hue, the nose immediately gives forth notes of smoked meats, truffles, black fruits, chocolate, leather, soy and plums. Some biscuit and vanilla remain evident from the oak integration. Finely constructed, this is a wine of medium length with sleek though abundant tannins and bright acidity. It will provide extremely attractive drinking over the next decade. Drink to 2034.

94 points Ken Gargett for Wine Pilot, December 2024

The 2022 Shiraz Wade Block 2 is black, minty and floral, with raspberry, strawberry, boysenberry and black pepper. The wine is inky and spiced, so true to place, with a velvety core of fruit. The tannins are grainy and fine. Its an elegant wine and nicely done. Drink to 2032.

92 points Erin Larkin for The Wine Advocate, March 2025

The grapes for this wine were machine harvested, crushed and chilled to tanker in McLaren Vale. Fermentation took place in the Hunter in a combination of open and static fermenters, frequently pumped over and then matured in French oak puncheons for 16 months.

About this producer

Hunter Valley based Brokenwood was established in 1970 by Tony Albert, John Beeston, and James Halliday, with first vines planted in Pokolbin the year after. Since the early 1980s fruit sourcing has expanded beyond the Hunter, and today, the well-regarded wines are made from grapes grown in Orange, Central Ranges, Gundagai, Canberra District and Tumbarumba (NSW) as well as Beechworth (VIC), Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale (SA), and finally Margaret River (WA).

The winemaking team is lead by Stuart Hordern and Kate Sturgess, while work in the 64-hectare vineyards is guided by Katrina Barry.