2023 Yangarra Estate Shiraz Biodynamic, McLaren Vale

As usual, from six blocks across the estate, with half from sandier soils and half more influenced by ironstone. There’s also 4% viognier in the mix. The inclusion is not unusual, but a slightly higher proportion warranted disclosure. It’s a co-ferment, so the integration is seamless. There’s a certain suave ease to this, both in fragrance and calm glide across the palate, though it sits in a mid-weight zone. Ripe red fruits more than black, warm spices, a trace of hardy herbs, the ferrous influence discreet. It’s a charming wine, undemanding in all the right ways, and, while ready to go, it should drink well over the next five years or so.

93+ points Marcus Ellis For Halliday Wine Companion

Perfumed and spicy, showing aromas of wild blackberries, licorice, olive brine, boysenberries, bresaola and dark chocolate. The palate is medium- to full-bodied with finely tuned tannins and generous texture, leading into a saline-edged finish full of purity and freshness. Lovely lift beneath the dark fruit. Drink or hold. Screw cap.

95 points James Suckling

Yangarra Estate is one of the leading lights of McLaren Vale, a winery that has helped redefine what the region can achieve with Rhône varieties. Situated in the elevated sands and ancient soils of Blewitt Springs, the estate was purchased by the Jackson Family Wines group in 2001 and has since become a benchmark for biodynamic viticulture in Australia. Under the guidance of winemaker Peter Fraser, Yangarra has earned an international reputation for wines that combine power, elegance and a profound sense of place.

The estate's biodynamic vineyards are rooted in some of McLaren Vale's most distinctive sandy soils, allowing Shiraz to develop exceptional perfume and finesse. The cooler conditions of Blewitt Springs produce a more refined style than many traditional McLaren Vale examples, emphasising freshness, spice and aromatic complexity. The 2023 vintage delivered beautifully balanced fruit, with a long growing season allowing flavours to develop slowly while retaining vibrant natural acidity.

Deep crimson purple in colour, the bouquet is intensely fragrant with aromas of blackberry, blueberry and dark cherry layered with violet, black pepper and exotic spice. Hints of olive tapenade, licorice root and crushed herbs emerge as the wine opens, reflecting both site and variety. The palate is medium to full bodied yet remarkably energetic, combining concentrated dark fruits with savoury complexity and finely textured tannins. A bright mineral thread and fresh acidity provide tension and precision, while the finish is long, silky and beautifully detailed.

This is a superb partner for slow roasted lamb shoulder, chargrilled beef ribeye, Moroccan spiced eggplant, wild mushroom ragù or rosemary scented venison. While approachable in its youth, the structure and balance suggest it will reward cellaring for at least ten to fifteen years, gaining further savoury complexity along the way.

Yangarra continues to prove why Blewitt Springs is one of Australia's most exciting sources of Shiraz, and this biodynamic release is a compelling example of the estate's ability to marry richness with elegance.