Head The Brunette Shiraz 2020

96 POINTS

James Suckling

The blue fruits with menthol, graphite and lavender aromas are impressive. Full-bodied with firm and chewy tannins that are polished and run the length of the wine. The dried and roasted meat character comes through at the end with the fruit. Better in two or three years.

95 POINTS

Huon Hooke - The Real Review

Deep red/purple colour, with a spicy-meaty bouquet of young and slightly callow shiraz, alluring in its smoky and faintly vegetal Rhône-like complexity. The wine is elegantly framed with quite assertive but very supple tannins, the overall impression being of a delicious slinky texture. Long, long carry. A stylish shiraz.

95 POINTS

Erin Larkin - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

The red clay and ironstone that the Shiraz for this 2020 The Brunette Shiraz was grown on emerges in the glass—it is earthy, plush and dense and impacts both the tannins (imbuing them with an enveloping character) and the fruit (it stains it red). This is a savory wine wrapped around a core of pure red fruit. The difference between the Blonde and Brunette becomes preferential for style, and while the Blonde may be a little more slimline and a little more mineral, this Brunette dives straight into the beating heart of the Barossa and drags out the blood and earth that it holds. I thought I preferred the Blonde, but I love the tannins here and how this wine holds a little more back. In a nutshell, they're both excellent.

93 POINTS

Dave Brookes - Halliday Wine Companion

100% shiraz from the deep red, ironstone-rich clays of the Barossa, the Brunette immediately impresses with its rich, dark and black-fruit aromatics. There are notes of baking spice, dark chocolate and earth along with liminal wafts of jasmine and kirsch. Deep dark-fruit profile with feathery tannins making their presence felt, softly spoken oak and impressive fruit density.

92 POINTS

Angus Hughson - Winepilot

100% Eden Valley fruit drawn from 90 year old vines in the Wilton Hill vineyard. Again plenty of character and personality although not quite as expressive and vibrant as The Blonde. Tightly wound dark fruits win the day in the form of liquorice, baked earth and tar with a dusting of Middle Eastern Spices. A muscular palate follows with a rich vein of hearty tannins that drive a lengthy finish. Plenty to like now and over the next decade.

90 POINTS

Gary Walsh - The Wine Front

From the Wilton Hill vineyard, Flaxman Valley. Toasty spicy oak, bacon fat, spice, purple fruit, blackberry and aniseed. Medium to full-bodied, smoky oak plays a part in the flavour profile, a fair bit of grip here, and a dark finish of solid length. Tannin is a little chalky and rugged, and quite drying on the finish, though that may well resolve. Some orange peel bitterness and tang in the aftertaste too. Kind of all arms and legs at the moment.