2022 Paxton EJ Elizabeth Jean Shiraz, McLaren Vale

From the oldest shiraz vines in McLaren Vale, planted in 1887; wild ferment as whole berries; 15 months in French oak. This has an interesting synergy between ancient-vine intensity and graceful flow, the silkiness of that old-vine fruit and a gentle winemaking hand are a fine combination. Ripe red fruits are the foundation, deeply ripe raspberry mainly, some red plum, then some darker berries and a waft of exotic warming spices, the palate textural and calmly luxurious, the tannins finessed. Drink 2025 to 2036.

95 points Marcus Ellis for Halliday Wine Companion, April 2025

Ink black core to a deep ruby red rim. Mulberry, dark chocolate and fresh roast coffee aromatics. Deep and full throttled blue and purple fruits fill the senses. Plush and inviting with layers of mocha and vanilla spices overlying that lovely rich fruit. Tannins work to guide it long, not pressing but ensuring carry and drive to the finish. Drink 2024 to 2036.

94 points Stuart Knox for The Real Review, November 2024

David Paxton is one of McLaren Vale's most respected viticulturalists with a career built not on winemaking but on growing exceptional fruit. His vineyards have been certified organic and biodynamic since 2011.

Winemaker Ashleigh Seymour came to Paxton after a decade of immersion in biodynamic thinking in Italy. This influenced not just her view on farming but living how she approaches the rhythm of the seasons. Her approach is to guide the wine rather than direct: getting it right in the vineyard first, then keeping the wine under wraps as it finds its own way. It's a natural fit for a producer whose reputation was built on viticulture, long before it was built on winemaking.

EJ stands for Elizabeth Jean, David Paxton's mother, and the name given to the wine that sits at the top of the Paxton range. The vines it draws from were planted in 1887 in the back corner of Thomas Block vineyard on their original rootstock and now well into their second century. At this age, yields are naturally minute.

Grapes were hand-picked across two tranches to ensure perfect ripeness, then destemmed and fermented as whole berries in small open fermenters with indigenous yeast. Gentle foot plunging daily for two weeks before soft pressing to French oak barriques for 18 months of maturation. Individual barrels were further selected for the perfect EJ blend and the wine rested for a further four months ahead of release.

The 2022 is a wine of old-vine intensity and graceful flow in equal measure — deeply ripe raspberry, red plum and darker berries on the nose, with dark chocolate, fresh coffee and warming spice threading through. The palate is textural and quietly luxurious, the silky tannins finessed rather than assertive, with excellent length and a composed, lingering finish.

Drink now through 2036.