Hunter Cleanskin Preservative Free Shiraz 2025: Tasting Notes

WINE STYLE → Smooth Operator (Soft & Supple)

This is the lighter, juicier side of Hunter Valley Shiraz: fresh blackberry and blueberry fruit, a little redcurrant brightness, violet perfume and a gentle dusting of peppery spice. It is dry and medium-bodied rather than big or heavily extracted, with supple tannins and enough savoury detail to keep each glass interesting. Made without added preservatives, it is a particularly appealing cleanskin for anyone looking for an uncomplicated, expressive red that still has genuine regional and winemaking pedigree behind it.

Highlights

• No Added Preservative and vegan suitable
• Made by experienced Hunter Valley winemaker Aaron Mercer
• Blackberry, blueberry and redcurrant with violet and peppery spice
• Hunter Valley, NSW
• Dry at less than 2 g/L residual sugar
• 13.8% ABV

Tasting Notes

Fragrant violet and fresh dark berries lead the nose, with blackberry, blueberry and redcurrant joined by cracked pepper and subtle savoury spice. The palate is medium-bodied and juicy, carrying fresh berry fruit through supple, gentle tannins. There is enough acidity to give the wine energy without making it tart, and the finish stays dry, softly spicy and savoury. At 13.8% alcohol it has good presence while remaining much more nimble than a dense, heavily oaked Shiraz.

Winemaking

Made by Aaron Mercer with the clean, fruit-driven approach that has become a hallmark of his preservative-free wines. No preservative is added, so careful fruit selection, hygienic winery handling and close attention throughout fermentation and bottling are especially important. The emphasis is on retaining fresh Shiraz fruit, perfume and texture rather than building the wine around heavy extraction or obvious oak.

Vineyard & Vintage

The fruit comes from the Hunter Valley in New South Wales, one of Australia's historic Shiraz regions. Hunter Shiraz can be distinctly different from the heavier styles associated with warmer South Australian regions, often showing medium body, savoury spice, freshness and a more restrained fruit profile. This vineyard is not certified organic. The 2025 wine finishes with less than 2 g/L residual sugar, placing it comfortably in the dry category.

Why We Love It

A good cleanskin should put the value in the bottle rather than the packaging, and that is precisely the appeal here. You get an experienced winemaker, Hunter Valley fruit and preservative-free production in a relaxed, easy-drinking style. The fruit is juicy without becoming sweet or jammy, the tannins are soft and there is a lovely violet-and-pepper lift that keeps it unmistakably Shiraz.

Food Pairing

This medium-bodied style is versatile at the table. Dark berry fruit suits grilled and roasted flavours, while its savoury pepper and moderate tannin make it equally comfortable with herbs, mushrooms, tomato and gently spiced dishes.

Try matching this wine with →

• Lamb kofta with yoghurt and herbs — Find a Recipe
• Smoky mushroom & lentil burgers — Find a Recipe
• Beef and tomato pasta ragù — Find a Recipe

Mood or occasion to match this wine…

The red to open when dinner is casual but you still care what's in the glass. Excellent for midweek pasta, relaxed Friday-night pizza, a backyard barbecue or an easy Sunday dinner with friends.

Cellaring

This preservative-free Shiraz is designed primarily for fresh, youthful drinking. Enjoy it now and over the next one to three years for the brightest berry fruit, violet perfume and peppery spice. Store bottles somewhere cool and dark, and once opened keep the wine refrigerated and finish within one to two days.

Producer

Aaron Mercer is a Hunter Valley-raised winemaker with more than two decades of experience across New South Wales and internationally, including time working in France, Germany, Canada and California. He is particularly well known for his expertise in preservative-free winemaking and previously held the head winemaking role at Tamburlaine. His broader philosophy centres on sustainably grown fruit, supporting growers who use regenerative farming practices and making wines with a smaller environmental footprint. Based in the Hunter Valley, Aaron works with vineyards across NSW, matching varieties to regions and favouring gentle winemaking that allows freshness, fruit and site character to remain clear in the glass.

Related Wines To Try →

If this smooth, fruit-forward preservative-free Shiraz hits the spot, these are three good comparisons:

• Plush, smooth and terrific-value preservative-free Shiraz — The Hero Preservative Free Shiraz
• Organic NSW Shiraz with silky fruit and no added preservative — Botobolar Organic Preservative Free Shiraz
• Richer natural Shiraz with dark fruit and supple tannins — Wild Folk Preservative Free Shiraz

FAQ

What does Hunter Cleanskin Preservative Free Shiraz 2025 taste like?

It is a juicy, medium-bodied Shiraz built around blackberry, blueberry and redcurrant, with violet perfume and peppery spice. The tannins are supple rather than firm, giving it a smooth, savoury and easy-drinking finish.

Is this Shiraz dry or sweet?

It is dry. Residual sugar is below 2 g/L, so while the ripe berry fruit gives plenty of flavour, there is no obvious sweetness on the palate.

Is Hunter Cleanskin Preservative Free Shiraz organic?

No. The vineyard supplying this wine is not certified organic. It is, however, made without added preservatives and is suitable for vegans.

Does this wine contain preservatives or sulphites?

This is a No Added Preservative Shiraz, meaning sulphur dioxide preservative is not added during production. Small amounts of sulphites can still occur naturally as a result of fermentation.

Is this wine vegan friendly?

Yes. Hunter Cleanskin Preservative Free Shiraz 2025 is vegan suitable, so animal-derived fining agents are not used in its production.

How full-bodied is this Hunter Valley Shiraz?

It sits around medium-bodied rather than full and heavy. Expect generous berry fruit and 13.8% alcohol, but with softer tannins and more freshness than a typical big Australian Shiraz.

How should I serve it?

Serve at around 15–17°C in a medium-sized red wine glass. On a warm Australian evening, 15–20 minutes in the fridge before serving will help keep its violet, berry and pepper characters bright.

Should I decant this Shiraz?

It doesn't require lengthy decanting. Opening it 15–20 minutes before serving or giving it a generous swirl in the glass is enough to release the fruit and spice.

What food pairs well with this wine?

Try it with lamb kofta, burgers, sausages, tomato-based pasta, pizza, roasted vegetables or mushroom dishes. The combination of berry fruit, pepper, moderate acidity and soft tannin makes it particularly versatile with informal, flavour-packed food.

Who will love this wine?

This is a good choice for anyone who enjoys Shiraz but doesn't want a huge, heavily oaked red. If you like juicy Shiraz, softer natural reds or preservative-free wines with generous fruit and gentle tannins, it should be an easy match.

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