2018 The Wheelwright Shiraz

This 2018 Shiraz The Wheelright, under a newish label from Henschke, wears its Eden Valley origins on its sleeve. There is an impressive upfront hit of blackberry and black cherry with distinctive dried herbs and peppery notes. Good palate tension follows. Firm drying tannins provide a solid backbone for youthful dark berry fruits and mocha oak layers. It is a little tightly wound right now and needs three to five years to show its best.

- Angus Hughson (03/2023)

An enticing and perfumed nose of heather, dried herbs and lavender with roasted spices, peppercorns and ripe, fresh blueberries. Beguilingly sweet but ethereal on the palate with lots of grilled Mediterranean herbs that balance any hint of sweetness from the fruit. Polished, satin-like tannins extend in an effortless, lengthy finish. Vines first planted in 1968. Drink or hold. Screw cap.

- Zekun Shuai (03/2023)

Delivers appealingly fresh blueberry, plum and dried cherry flavors, with notes of tobacco, sage, black tea, date bread and rose petal. Revealing lovely, restrained velvety tannins, this is harmonious on the finish. Shiraz. Drink now through 2034. 300 cases made, 20 cases imported.

- M.W.

The Wheelwright and the Cyril Henschke Vineyards are adjacent and rest at an elevation of 470 meters above seal level, numbering them among some of the highest vineyards in the region. The 1.6-hectare single vineyard from which the fruit hails is planted on a combination of sandy loam and clay, over a bedrock of mica schist and faces in a north through west to south aspect. The 2018 The Wheelwright Single Vineyard Shiraz is 100% Shiraz, matured in a combination of new (21%) and seasoned (79%) French oak (65%) and American oak (35%) hogsheads for 18 months prior to blending and bottling. According to the Barossa Old Vine Charter, an "old vine" is equal to or greater than 35 years of age. I love Eden Valley Syrah/Shiraz for its ability to convey fresh raspberry, black tea, crushed rocks and licorice, each in equal measure, not to mention inflections of sage, bay leaf and even rosemary. The wines are elegant (even when produced in a full-throttle style, which this is not) and age gracefully. Eden Valley looks sensational in this excellent vintage, the 2018 The Wheelwright Single Vineyard Shiraz especially so.

- Erin Larkin (04/2023)