2023 Maxwell Eocene Ancient Earth Shiraz 6 Pack

96 POINTS

Marcus Ellis - Halliday Wine Companion

Block 9, planted to 1654 clone in ’94. Equally importantly, vineyard manager Richard Wellsmore treats this very specifically, nuancing canopy and soil management to refine the fruit in concert with winemaker Kate Petering. That’s showing a year-on-year dividend, with this my favourite thus far. The limestone slab that the vines sit over yields a line of energising minerality, while the fruit occupies a dark spectrum, somewhat brooding, tarry, with black cherry and olive, plum skin, wild fennel, a loamy, humus-rich soil note. This is serenely balanced, the dark import on first nosing somewhat deceptive, as energy and finesse prevail. A wine of place and of sensitive stewardship, in vineyard and winery.

93 POINTS

Erin Larkin - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

The 2023 Eocene Ancient Earth Shiraz is earthy, inky and intense, with loads of gravelly tannin and shiny, purple fruit. This feels tethered to both land and hand, with the vineyard on show and the crafting in the winery evident. Both are of equal display and importance here. The acidity is a feature here, which serves to harden the wine somewhat. The wine is ferrous and slinky, with notes of sandalwood, clove, mukhwas and dark chocolate prevailing through the finish. 14% alcohol, sealed under a screw cap.

90 POINTS

Gary Walsh - The Wine Front

The earth may be ancient, though I think the vines here were planted in 1994?. Anyway, that was a good year for me. I was 24, and enjoying my man-about-town period in the north of England, when there was optimism and a bit of a good vibe happening in that county. It’s a dark wine, and it has quite the purple colour. Blackberry, some coffee, pepper and spice, mint/liquorice, a lavender and thyme perfume too. Medium to full-bodied, something of a grilled meat character, tannin is a little gummy and thick, coffee is maybe a dominant flavour, some orange tang to acidity, with a finish of decent length. A bit chunky and kind of puts me in mind of a pepper steak pie. I’m not mad about it, but it’s a good wine.