Yangarra Ironheart Shiraz 2023

96 POINTS

Shanteh Wale - Winepilot

20% whole bunch basket pressed to french and Austrian puncheons 30% was new and then into 1 year old foudre for 16 months. A wine that captures both sumptuousness and poised aromatics. Some ripe mulberry and blackcurrant, a cordial of slinky red berries intermixed with clove and mahogany oak. This is the kind of bold but detailed Shiraz many are seeking out, it is a sure fire bet to please any moderate climate Shiraz drinker. A wonderful, very giving wine. Drink now or cellar for 8-2 years further. Bring out the brisket for this one.

96 POINTS

Ray Jordan - Winepilot

The ’23 vintage had its challenges but ultimately produced wines that are pretty and vibrant. This one is loaded with beautiful plummy, dark liqueur cherry notes, a little dark chocolate and spice on the nose. With such bright, pure, and pretty primary fruit characters. The palate has such beautiful weight and balance with subtle fruit, gentle tannins, and a nice use of oak, which is a mix of French and Austrian puncheons. And then subsequently a 16-month period in foudre before bottling. There’s a subtle, earthy, dried herby character here as well, and it all adds up to a most complete and composed wine.

96 POINTS

Marcus Ellis - Halliday Wine Companion

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.

93 POINTS

Campbell Mattinson - The Wine Front

Last year I got stuck into the Yangarra grenache wines. This year it’s the shiraz. Has to be said that all the fuss is over grenache now, of which I am guilty as charged, but that Yangarra often also makes great shiraz. I love this wine and it also caused me to pause. I’ll be interested to hear what my colleagues think. It’s a meaty, bloody, black cherry-and-blackberry driven wine with earth, sweet spice, game and leather characters littered throughout. It has excellent power and also excellent tannin, the finish firm and commanding. Length is very good/excellent too. I was about to rave about this wine, courtesy of its general seductiveness, but then wondered if it was just a bit too dry and firm on the finish. My score therefore is the ultimate bet each way.