2023 Circa 77 Shiraz

RAY JORDAN, WINE PILOT

It's little wonder that a wine of this price is so good, given that it comes from this wonderful vintage in Margaret River. The fruit comes from Walls Cliffs. And it's a combination of largely shiraz with about 2% of the spicy white variety viognier. It also received 20% new oak during its 14 months. This is as good an example of this wine as I've seen. It's perfectly weighted, it's poised, and so seamlessly integrated with vibrant, high-energy fruit flavors that really characterize this vintage. Loads of ripe berry and plums, with a nice spicy complexity.

Tom Kline, Wine Pilot

Black pepper and mulberry meld nicely on first look before blueberry, dark cherry, violets, baking spices and some gentle toastiness from the oak. The palate is medium-bodied and cool in feel — dark cherry, plum, a dusting of brown spice, blueberry, dried violets. The tannins are grainy and present without being overbearing without food, while bright acidity freshens up the finish. A lot of wine for the money. Brilliant value.

Feature in Delicious Magazine’s article titled ‘The best Aussie red wines to cosy up with this winter'

"Winter is at our doorstep, so it’s time to break out the big Aussie reds. But from which region, you ask? Why, all of them, of course! Let’s take a trip around Australia’s wine regions to discover new varieties and old friends. Merrick Watts, the comic and wine expert behind An Idiot’s Guide to Wine, shares his favourite Australian red wines to drink this season, from velvety pinot noirs to spicy cab savs.

Margaret River is more famous for its deep cabernet, but it can do some great shiraz, too. Give it a whirl. Notes: Plush, generous, crowd-friendly. Western Australian shiraz that delivers.

Link: https://www.delicious.com.au/drinks/wine-champagne/gallery/best-australian-red-wines-winter/dp8d0hou"

Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion

A bloody good barbecue wine, fitting the brief perfectly: a beaut price, flavourful and delicious. It’s awash with dark plums and cherries, loads of warming, fragrant spices, including pepper, refreshing with lemony acidity and tannins that are grainy and textural. It’s uncomplicated yet a bonza drink.