2023 Hentley Farm The Beast Shiraz, Barossa Valley

Shiraz from D block on the Hentley Farm estate in the western Barossa, destemmed and aged in French oak (60% new, 40% seasoned) for 22 months. Bright magenta-splashed crimson with a heady array of beautifully plush blueberry, blackberry and dark plum fruits. Hints of baking spices, cedar, vanilla pod, licorice, dark chocolate, citrus blossom, tobacco and roasting meats. Pure and opulent from woah-to-go. Travels with harmony and latent power and is backed by super-compact, silty tannins and fine mineral focus. A wine and winery in fantastic form. Drink to 2045.

96+ points Dave Brookes for Halliday Wine Companion, February 2026

The 2023 The Beast Shiraz is excellent, with inky, penetrating fruit flavors and lovely silky tannins. This has a dusty, fine, earthy heft alongside a silky sway, and it comes, as always, warmly recommended. Drink to 2038.

95 points Erin Larkin for The Wine Advocate, June 2026

The 2023 season was temperate and of long flavour accumulation, with cool nights preserving natural acidity across all varieties. The wines show ripe yet elegant flavours and charming, lifted aromatics.

The fruit for this Shiraz was estate grown in an elevated east facing block in Hentley Farm’s Seppeltsfield vineyard. All fruit was de-stemmed, with the open fermenters pumped over during the 10-12-days on skin. The basket pressed wine matured for 22 months in French oak barrels of which 60% were new.

This is a powerful rendition of Barossa Shiraz with bold, rich and concentrated flavours.

About this producer

Hentley Farm was established in 1997 by Keith and Alison Hentschke in the rolling hills of Greenock Creek in the western reaches of the Barossa. Their 150-hectare property sits on a diverse range of soils that coupled with the varying orientations of the land gives them a rich tapestry of fruit styles from their two vineyard sites. Work at the winery has been led by winemaker Andrew Quin since 2008.