2023 RWT Bin 798 Shiraz

A slightly more charged version of Shiraz than the St Henri, this has a bigger dollop of chocolate, salinity, blood orange, red earth, campfire, muscular tannins and a ton of spice. Great quality, with a beautiful lift through the finish. Tom King director, Peter Gago chief winemaker.

The 2023 RWT Bin 798 hails from the Barossa Valley, and the wine expounds the virtues of the place there: earthy tannins, powerful and robust fruit and great length of flavor. There is elegance here, but it is couched within structure and thrust. Dryness in the form of cedar and sweetness in line with woody sandalwood back the fruit and form of the wine. It matured for 14 months in French oak hogsheads, 69% new. 14.5% alcohol, sealed under natural cork.

Full bottle 1,448 g. RWT stands for Red Winemaking Trial, the name given to the project internally when developmental work began in the early 1990s. Why a trial initially? The wine was established as a fallback for fruit that wasn’t quite good enough for Grange. 100% Shiraz, Barossa only and 100% French oak (like 169). ‘The Barossa Valley’s 2023 vintage was marked by resilience in the face of varied climate challenges.’ Torrential rains in spring and cool, late vintage generally.  Aged for 14 months in French oak hogsheads (69% new, remainder 1 year old). TA 6.7 g/l, pH 3.68. Blackish purple. Intense pruney nose. Mid intensity on the palate and definitely chewy. Not nearly ready. Black fruits and bit tough and harsh on the end. (JR)