2023 Paxton Jones Block Shiraz, McLaren Vale

Planted in '65 and named after the previous owner of the vineyard, Doug Jones. Destemmed ferment, then 20% new oak for 20 months. This is always positioned in a more classic vein, though with the refining element of French oak. It has the feeling of clay in the soil, with a richer profile, the fruits dark and robust, accented with cocoa powder, beef reduction, master stock and coffee grounds. The marrying of traditional stylings and refinement is the thing here, the tannins finessed but not over-polished, the lasting impression one of harmony. Drink 2025 to 2035.

94 points Marcus Ellis for Halliday Wine Companion, March 2026

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 the way she approaches life and 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.

The Jones Block in the Seaview subregion was planted in 1965 on shallow red sandy loam over limestone. It is named after Doug Jones, the local McLaren Vale pharmacist who established the site before it came into the Paxton family's hands.        

The 2023 vintage produced wines of excellent flavour concentration across the estate. Grapes were hand-picked in mid-March and destemmed fully into small open vats for fermentation, hand-plunged daily over 20 days to extract colour, structure and depth. The wine was then pressed to predominantly seasoned French oak barrels and matured for 20 months before individual barrel selection determined the final blend.

The result is a Shiraz of real depth and composure — dark plum and blackberry on the nose, with cocoa, a savoury earthiness and hints of coffee grounds giving it a brooding, complex character. The oak is present but integrating, adding structure rather than sweetness. The palate is full-bodied with finessed rather than heavy tannins, a rich mid-palate depth that reflects the age of the vines, and a long, harmonious finish. A wine that rewards patience as much as it rewards opening now.

A wine for the weekend. Slow-braised beef cheeks with red wine and gremolata, or a Moroccan-spiced lamb shank with preserved lemon and couscous. The wine's structured tannins and dark fruit depth handle the richness without effort, while its length keeps the pairing interesting through to the end of the meal.

Drink now through 2035.