Brokenwood Wade Block 2 Shiraz 2022

96 POINTS

Toni Paterson MW - Halliday Wine Companion

Sourced from a nearly three-decade-old plot, the low-yielding Blewitt Springs vineyard, grown on its own roots in deep sand, produces a wine of great character and intensity. The wine is full bodied and beautifully plush with opulent red plums, accented by milk chocolate, spice, red rose petals and vanilla. This concentrated fruit, along with the energised acidity and structural tannin, will allow for long-term cellaring.

95 POINTS

Ray Jordan - Winepilot

Comes from a 30-year-old Blewitt Springs vineyard in McLaren Vale and is quite typical of this wonderful subregion. This is not the plump and opulent style of the greater region but with that subregional dusty dry earthiness and subtle herby character that stamps the style. It’s bright and vibrant with a high-energy palate dancing through to a very long finish. Has plenty of time possible in the cellar.

94 POINTS

Ken Gargett - Winepilot

This is the 22nd release from the Wade Block 2, in McLaren Flat – not bad for a vineyard just thirty years of age. 2022 is a superb vintage in the region. The wine spent sixteen months in French oak puncheons. Dark purple maroon hue, the nose immediately gives forth notes of smoked meats, truffles, black fruits, chocolate, leather, soy and plums. Some biscuit and vanilla remain evident from the oak integration. Finely constructed, this is a wine of medium length with sleek though abundant tannins and bright acidity. It will provide extremely attractive drinking over the next decade.

94 POINTS

Gary Walsh - The Wine Front

Gee Brokenwood make a lot of different wines. The website says this is from McLaren Flat, the back label says Blewitt Springs. Maybe it’s cusp Aquarius. Plum, cherry, a little vanilla and rosy perfume, some honey glazed ham and spice. It’s just over medium-bodied, plum and ripe strawberry, some iodine, quite bright and lively, no shortage of perfume, with something of a shortbread richness too, gentle sandy tannin grip, with a finish of excellent length. Stylish wine. Beautifully made too. Should age really well.

92 POINTS

Erin Larkin - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

The 2022 Shiraz Wade Block 2 is black, minty and floral, with raspberry, strawberry, boysenberry and black pepper. The wine is inky and spiced, so true to place, with a velvety core of fruit. The tannins are grainy and fine. Its an elegant wine and nicely done. 14.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.

91 POINTS

Jeremy Oliver

A bright, faintly meaty bouquet of blackberries, cassis, blood plums and sweet cedar/vanilla oak reveals notes of cracked pepper and five spice. Medium to fullish in weight, it's smooth and supple, presenting a long and lively core of bright red and black fruits and fresh oak supported by a fine, powdery spine. Just a little simple for an even higher rating.