2022 Four Winds Vineyard Shiraz, Canberra District

It’s easy to become jaded about Australian shiraz – there’s so much of it. And yet, grown in a cool climate and matched to thoughtful winemaking, the result is a delicious drink. Heady aromas of florals, pepper and spice, dark fruit and even a hot stone/ferrous note. The palate is supple and juicy, the tannins fine and best of all, this is a savoury style. Nice one.

93 points Jane Faulkner winecompanion.com.au

Four Winds Vineyard Shiraz from the Canberra District is a beautifully balanced cool-climate Shiraz that reflects the elegance and spice-driven character of the region. Four Winds, a family-run winery established in 1998, has built a reputation for crafting expressive, site-driven wines that highlight the pristine fruit and refined structure that Canberra’s unique terroir provides. The cool climate and granite-based soils of the region allow Shiraz to ripen slowly, developing bright aromatics, fine tannins, and natural acidity.

Deep ruby in color, the nose is lifted and aromatic, with vibrant notes of blackberry, dark cherry, and plum, layered with hints of black pepper, violets, and subtle smoky oak. The palate is medium-bodied yet concentrated, offering juicy black fruit flavors alongside earthy undertones, spice, and a touch of dark chocolate. Silky tannins and fresh acidity give the wine a refined structure, leading to a long, elegant finish with lingering notes of pepper and crushed herbs.

This Shiraz pairs beautifully with slow-roasted lamb, chargrilled beef, or spiced eggplant dishes. Its cool-climate finesse and savory complexity also make it an excellent match for duck, mushroom risotto, or aged cheeses. Enjoyable now for its vibrancy, it has the potential to evolve over the next 8–10 years, gaining further depth and complexity.