Paxton AAA Shiraz Grenache 2023: Tasting Notes

WINE STYLE → Dark Berry & Spice

A deeply drinkable McLaren Vale blend that lands somewhere between plush and lively. Expect dark brambly fruit, raspberry, barberry and a little raw coffee bean, with saffron spice, balsamic nuance and a faint herbal edge from whole-bunch fermentation. There’s plenty of flavour here, but it never turns heavy — just juicy, layered and savoury enough to keep you coming back for another glass.

Highlights

• Certified organic, certified biodynamic and vegan suitable
• Crafted by Paxton Wines — one of McLaren Vale’s best-known biodynamic producers
• Wild berry fruit, coffee bean, saffron spice and supple tannin
• Fruit selected from Paxton’s Gateway and Jones Block vineyards
• 94 points Winepilot; 93 points Wine Showcase Magazine; The Real Review Top Value
• 14.0% ABV

Tasting Notes

The fruit profile sits in that lovely zone between bright and dark: think raspberry, strawberry and barberry over deeper brambly notes, with raw coffee bean, saffron and a gentle balsamic savouriness in the background. Shiraz gives the wine its mid-palate depth and generosity, while Grenache keeps the line fresh and energetic. The tannins are smooth rather than firm, and there’s enough spice and herbal complexity to make it a very smart food wine.

Winemaking

Individual parcels of Shiraz and Grenache were fermented separately in a mix of open-top and static fermenters. Each parcel was plunged and/or pumped over twice daily for 14 days to build colour, flavour and structure, then pressed to seasoned French oak barriques and puncheons for nine months before blending and bottling. Partial whole-bunch fermentation adds the lifted herbal and spice detail.

Vineyard & Vintage

The AAA draws on fruit from Paxton’s Gateway and Jones Block vineyards in McLaren Vale, with Shiraz supported by Grenache and a small seasoning of Mataro. McLaren Vale’s Mediterranean climate gives this blend its ripe fruit core, but the site’s natural acidity keeps things in balance. It’s estate-grown fruit from organically and biodynamically farmed vineyards, which suits the wine’s vivid, energetic character.

Why We Love It

This is one of those bottles that over-delivers for the price. It has enough dark fruit and spice to satisfy Shiraz lovers, but the Grenache component keeps it brighter, juicier and a little more relaxed at the table. If you like reds with generosity but don’t want anything too heavy or over-oaked, this is a very easy yes.

Food Pairing

This blend is brilliant with dishes that play sweet spice, char and savoury depth off juicy red fruit. It works especially well with grilled meats, spice-led vegetarian cooking and sticky, slow-cooked flavours.

Try matching this wine with →

• Lamb koftas with yoghurt and herbs — Find a Recipe
• Roast eggplant with harissa and tahini — Find a Recipe
• Slow-cooked beef brisket — Find a Recipe

Mood or occasion to match this wine…

Perfect for a dinner party where you want a red that pleases a crowd without fading into the background. It also suits cosy winter cooking, long lunches with shared plates, or that one generous glass when the day has absolutely earned it.

Cellaring

Drinking beautifully now for its juicy fruit and spice, but it has the structure to reward cellaring too. Expect it to hold and develop nicely over the next 8–10 years if stored well.

Producer

Paxton is one of McLaren Vale’s benchmark biodynamic producers, established in 1979 by viticulturist David Paxton. The family has farmed its own vineyards in the region for decades, and the winery now sits under the guidance of Michael Paxton, David’s son and the family’s winemaker and viticulturalist. Their focus is firmly on estate-grown fruit, regenerative farming and wines that show site as much as variety. That combination of serious vineyard work and an easy, generous drinking style is a big part of why Paxton has become such a trusted name for organic and biodynamic Australian wine.

Related Wines To Try →

If you love this style, these are worth adding to your next mixed dozen:

• Same producer, bright red-fruited Grenache — Paxton Grenache
• Same producer, richer McLaren Vale Shiraz — Paxton MV Shiraz
• Same producer, savoury Cabernet alternative — Paxton Cabernet Sauvignon

FAQ

What does Paxton AAA Shiraz Grenache taste like?

It tastes of wild red berries, darker brambly fruit, raw coffee bean and gentle spice, with a little saffron and balsamic complexity in the background. The palate is medium-bodied, dry and juicy, with smooth tannins and a savoury finish.

Is Paxton AAA Shiraz Grenache dry or sweet?

It is a dry red wine, with very low residual sugar. The ripe fruit makes it taste generous, but structurally it sits firmly in the dry camp.

What is the body and tannin level like?

This is medium-bodied with enough fruit weight to feel satisfying, but it doesn’t tip into heavy territory. The tannins are soft and supple rather than grippy, so it’s very approachable young.

Does this wine contain preservatives or sulphites?

Yes — this is not a No Added Preservative wine. It does contain naturally occurring sulphites plus added sulphur at modest levels, and because it is certified organic and biodynamic, those limits are lower than in many conventional wines.

Is it organic, biodynamic and vegan?

Yes. Paxton AAA Shiraz Grenache is certified organic, certified biodynamic and vegan suitable, which is very much in line with Paxton’s broader farming philosophy in McLaren Vale.

How should I serve this wine?

Serve it around 16–18°C in a medium to large red wine glass so the spice and floral detail can open up. A short splash in a decanter for 20–30 minutes also helps bring out the more savoury notes.

Can I cellar this wine?

Yes — it drinks well now, but it also has enough structure and balance to cellar comfortably for 8–10 years. Over time, the fruit should become more savoury and integrated.

What foods pair best with this red blend?

It’s excellent with lamb, grilled sausages, charred vegetables and slow-cooked beef. For a vegetarian match, roast eggplant, mushroom dishes or lentil-based recipes with spice work especially well.

Who will love this wine most?

This suits drinkers who like juicy McLaren Vale reds but want something a little brighter and more agile than a straight Shiraz. If you enjoy blends that sit between Shiraz and Grenache, this is a very smart buy.

How long will it last once opened?

Recork it and keep it in the fridge, and it should stay in good shape for about 3–4 days. The fruit may soften slightly after day two, but the wine still drinks well.

(SKU: PX_AAA_CV)