Yangarra Estate King’s Wood Shiraz 2018

98 Points & Special Value Wine James Halliday
96 Points & 5 Stars Huon Hooke

Yangarra have produced the “Whole Bunch” Shiraz since 2009. The use of whole bunches has become part of all our Shiraz winemaking, and we felt this wine had the opportunity to further evolve. We had started introducing large format foudre in 2017, and a single block of Shiraz (block 12) started to show its head with a particular style that was very much suited to whole bunch and large format oak. The Whole Bunch label has evolved to become the King’s Wood.

The fruit was hand-picked, 25% whole bunches and the remainder has been mechanical berry sorted. Exclusively matured in 25hl French oak Foudre for 15 months. No pressings were used. Not fined. Certified organic/biodynamic

“Slippery, sleek and succulent shiraz of bouncy boysenberry fruit character, an undercurrent of sweet spice, some floral notes, very fine tannins and brisk acidity to cool it all down and finish it fresh. Very even, very medium weight, very flavoursome, indeed, quite remarkable intensity with all that freshness on hand. The fruit shines here – it’s the hero and it’s obvious. It makes you think about how grapes can achieve such multi-dimensional flavour, and that, there, is the art and delight of great wine for me.” – 95 Points Mike Bennie, Winefront.

“Deep red/purple, glass-staining, with a shy but deep bouquet, which is latent and full of promise. Underlying spices, a core of sweet ripe cherry fruit, the tannins soft and full on the finish, adding structure and length. Spices and graphite. A superb wine with a big future. Needs time for the full payoff.” – 96 Points & 5 Stars Huon Hooke

“From the 12.3ha east-facing Block 12 on an ironstone sandy outcrop. Hand-picked, open-fermented with 25% whole bunches, matured in a 25hl French foudre for 15 months. Vivid crimson-purple through to the rim. An incredibly fresh wine that literally dances in the mouth, juicy streams of bright red flavours – this from ’18, not a vintage known for delicacy. Fantastic bargain.” – 98 Points & Special Value Wine James Halliday