2024 Luke Lambert Crudo Shiraz, Yarra Valley

Luke has found a new dimension with Shiraz from the Denton Vineyard. Sourced from 22-year-old vines on the lower end of the east-north-east slope, the Crudo bottling channels all the vivid, savoury Rhône-like appeal Luke searches for while delivering plenty of delicious, drink-me-now appeal. This year, just 10% bunches were included in the ferment to avoid overcrowding the spicy blueberry flavours and fine, granite-derived tannins, and the wine matured in large 5000-litre seasoned barrels before bottling without fining or filtration.

It is already singing with blue fruits, spice, a wisp of reduction and this vineyard’s hallmark of granite minerality. It’s a bright and juicy Shiraz, with fleshy weight and ripe, complex berry flavours, all hemmed by dusty, talcy tannins and a mineral flecked close. “It drinks a little like a good Dolcetto”, says Luke Lambert. Lovely drinking.