2023 RockBare The McLaren Vale Shiraz, Barossa Valley

The 2023 RockBare The McLaren Vale Shiraz is a bold and modern take on South Australian Shiraz, delivering generous fruit, plush texture and regional character at exceptional value. Despite the name, this wine hails not from Barossa Valley, but from McLaren Vale, one of Australia’s most coastal and dynamic wine regions. Nestled between the Gulf St Vincent and the Mount Lofty Ranges, McLaren Vale is known for producing Shiraz that combines richness with freshness — and RockBare leans into that style with confidence and clarity.

RockBare was established with the aim of making expressive, approachable wines that reflect the character of their South Australian origins. The 2023 vintage in McLaren Vale offered a long, even growing season with moderate temperatures, producing Shiraz with excellent balance, vibrant colour and flavour concentration.

Fruit for this wine is sourced from select vineyards across McLaren Vale, with a focus on ripe flavour development and supple tannin structure. Fermentation occurs in stainless steel with gentle extraction, and the wine is aged in a combination of French and American oak to add spice and structure while allowing the fruit to lead.

In the glass, it’s deep purple with lifted aromas of blackberry, dark plum, black pepper and mocha, supported by hints of cedar and dried herbs. The palate is full-bodied yet smooth, offering generous dark fruits, subtle oak spice and silky tannins. It finishes long and satisfying with a touch of chocolate and liquorice.

Perfect with grilled steak, smoky barbecued lamb, or eggplant parmigiana. This is a crowd-pleasing Shiraz that drinks beautifully now but will hold well for the next five to seven years.