2023 Yangarra Ironheart Shiraz, McLaren Vale

A really dark, inky and opaque plummy red in appearance. Lifted and exotic aromas of blueberry, coffee grounds, Asian spice, dried herbs, dark cherry, pepper and graphite. Powerful, full-bodied, mouth-filling and really concentrated. Dark fruits, spice, dark chocolate, firm, grippy, granitic tannins and nutty, textured oak are all at play. The length, presence and flow are super impressive in this outstanding example of McLaren Vale shiraz. Drink to 2041.

96 points Aaron Brasher for The Real Review, September 2026

This, the flagship shiraz, off sand and ironstone; 20% whole bunches; six months in French oak, 35% new, then 10 months in a one-year-old foudre. That new oak leaves its stamp, as does some reduction, both concealing fruit at this early stage. Although of modest alcohol, this has a slightly lavish feel, the char, spice and vanillin from quality oak giving it a gloss. It’s all deftly handled though, matched by the thrumming power of the fruit, with notes of blackberry pastille, soft licorice, freshly ground fruity coffee and rusted iron. It’s testament to the farming here that so much flavour is achieved at this ripeness and weight, and this promises to age well; just give it a year or two. Drink to 2036.

96 points Marcus Ellis for Halliday Wine Companion, August 2026

Yangarra Estate Vineyard has become one of the defining estates of modern McLaren Vale, with winemaker Peter Fraser putting its elevated Blewitt Springs vineyards firmly on the world stage. Ironheart is Yangarra’s flagship Shiraz, sourced from a rugged block high on the estate where the vines grow in ancient, ironstone-rich soils. Biodynamic farming, meticulous vineyard work and restrained winemaking produce a Shiraz with formidable depth, but importantly, without the old-school McLaren Vale heaviness.

Ironheart’s name comes directly from its remarkable geology. Beneath the sandy surface lie ancient ironstone gravels that naturally restrict vigour and give the wine its distinctive savoury structure. The 2023 combines McLaren Vale sunshine with the cooling influence of Blewitt Springs’ elevation, delivering concentration, freshness and beautifully controlled power.

Deep crimson with an inky core, the nose opens with blackberry, black cherry and blueberry before violet, cracked pepper and rosemary emerge. With air come black olive, liquorice, smoked meat and bitter chocolate. The palate is powerful yet beautifully shaped, with concentrated dark fruit wrapped in firm, finely textured tannins. Black pepper, olive tapenade and earthy spice build through the middle before a long, savoury finish with dark chocolate and ironstone grip.

This calls for serious firepower: charcoal-grilled rib eye with anchovy butter, slow-roasted lamb shoulder with rosemary, smoked beef short ribs, venison with juniper or lamb kofta with charred eggplant and tahini. Our pick is the rib eye, hard char, pink centre and salty anchovy butter against Ironheart’s dark fruit and savoury grunt.