2022 Yangarra Estate Vineyard King’s Wood Shiraz

Tense and youthfully fresh, this is a refined McLaren Shiraz in need of some cellaring.

Impenetrable inky black heart with a vibrant dark purple hue. Pronounced freshly crushed blackberry and liquorice aromas combine with spicy vanillin cedar, crushed rock, graphite and peppery smoked meat notes. Rich, medium bodied and vividly fresh with a tightly coiled feel, blackberry, red plum and liquorice fruits are married to spicy vanillin cedar, gentle scorched earth and peppered clove elements. Fine, grainy tannins with lively acidity lending tension to the refined finish.
Cellar 8-10 years.
Alc. 14%

Other Reviews….
The 2022 King's Wood Shiraz is exotic and visceral on the nose; blood and iron, pressed roses and crushed ironstone gravel all waft out of the glass. On the palate, the impact of the old oak is felt—or rather, it is not felt, which adds a seamless flow to the fruit and tannin across the tongue. It matured for 18 months in a combination of large-format (25 hectoliters) Austrian and French oak foudres. The wine is all tobacco and Earl Grey tea, brick dust and pipe resin, arnica and a hint of star anise. Great. 14% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. Drink 2024-2037.
94+ Points
Erin Larkin – Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate

This is about as fine as shiraz can get in the Vale, boasting filigreed tannins and such a natural sense of freshness that it whets the palate and makes one hungry at first sip. Northern Rhône-like scents of grilled meats, cloves, lilacs and Damson plums. A gentle cascade across the spicy framework to a long, immensely refined finish. All foudres vats, Austrian and French. Despite the full body, the wine is almost ethereal in the best sense, making for effortless drinking despite the profundity in the glass. This has such delicacy and cooler climatic tension to it that it is truly startling. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold. Screw cap.
97 Points
JamesSuckling.com

From Block 12 on a southeast-facing sandy ironstone outcrop; 15% whole bunches, the rest crushed; matured in French and Austrian foudre for 18 months. A very Rhône-like release this, with peppery spicing, blackberry pastille, moody blue florals, lavender, blueberry, cocoa powder and freshly ground star anise. The elegance here is admirable, with a tannin drive from front to back, and no sweet spot. A very fine release. Drink by 2034.
95 Points
Marcus Ellis – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion