2023 Head The Blonde Shiraz

97 POINTS

David Sly - Decanter

Winemaker Alex Head says this single-block expression is his homage to finesse – which clearly shows on the palate, although there’s still a formidable, sharp black-fruited nose piqued by soot and struck flint that commands immediate attention. Sourced from a vineyard planted at Ebenezer in 1893 on deep sand over limestone and orange/red clay, this elegant wine spends 15 months on both old and new French oak. It opens to luscious red fruit that slides easily and gently over a luxurious, long palate before closing discretely with the tapering of fine-grained tannins. Exciting now, it will reveal even more excitement after more than five years in the cellar.

95 POINTS

Ken Gargett - Winepilot

To form part of the components used for the Blonde, the grapes must again be from overperforming vineyards and they must also “have well-defined perfumes, textures and supple tannins”. The key vineyard was planted in the Ranges – Eden Valley – in 1962. The usual method of production includes a tiny inclusion of Viognier, co-fermented, and the use of around 20% new oak. Both the Blonde and the Brunette drink way above their respective prices. An opaque maroon colour, this is big, bold and plush, dense but dancing. There are notes of mocha, chocolate, mulberries and plums. The oak has been deftly handled. There is good intensity, richness and ripeness, which runs the full, very extensive, length. Satiny tannins, good energy and fine acidity all present and correct. Enjoy this for the next fifteen years. So the answer to the age old question – Blonde or Brunette? Here, take your pick. They are both winners.

95 POINTS

Dave Brookes - Halliday Wine Companion

A vibrantly coloured and downright delicious '23 shiraz from Alex Head. Rich, nicely poised satsuma plum, mulberry and boysenberry fruits are cut with hints of spice, pastis, panforte, olive tapenade, wood spice and dark chocolate. It sports an intriguing crushed rockiness that I love. The balance is bang on here, with a kinetic interplay of ripe fruit, limestone-borne mineral cadence and toothsome tannin presence. The wine feels pure and travels freely over the palate with impressive energy. She's good drinking this one, and should cellar nicely to boot.

92 POINTS

Gary Walsh - The Wine Front

The Blonde is always the smooth operator from the Head stable of wines. Blueberry, plum and cherry, apricot, white flowers, chocolate and spice. It’s a juicy affair, sweet black and blue fruit with some beef dripping and black olive savoury stuff, a lively tang to acidity, grainy tannin, a little saline too, with a nutty finish of good length. A good wine from a tricky year.

91 POINTS

Angus Hughson - Vinous

The 2023 Shiraz The Blonde is unashamedly understated with its subtle layers of earth and gravel topped by fruit pastilles and dark chocolate. There is admirable tension here, thanks to fresh acidity and sinewy, hard-edged tannins, although the fruit is a little too shy. This is a wait-and-see proposition.