Paxton NOW Preservative Free Shiraz 2024: Tasting Notes

WINE STYLE → Juicy, Crunchy New-Wave Red

A vivid, bright-fruited Shiraz that is all about immediacy and energy. Expect raspberries, strawberries, mulberries and plum, with ironstone, a touch of cold smoke and gentle spice adding a more savoury edge. It’s medium-bodied, dry and very easy to enjoy, with silky tannins, delicate acidity and the kind of lively fruit purity that makes no added preservative reds so appealing when they’re well made.

Highlights

• Certified organic, certified biodynamic, vegan suitable and no added preservative
• Crafted by Paxton Wines — one of McLaren Vale’s benchmark biodynamic producers
• Raspberry, strawberry, mulberry and plum with cold smoke and gentle spice
• 100% Shiraz in a bright, drink-now style with silky tannins
• Minimal-intervention, natural-leaning red made to be enjoyed young
• 13.5% ABV

Tasting Notes

The fruit profile here is vivid and upfront: raspberries, strawberries, mulberries and plum in a bright, youthful register rather than a dark, brooding one. Underneath that, there’s an ironstone note, a little cold smoke and enough spice to stop the wine feeling too simple. The palate is medium-bodied and dry, with juicy fruit at the core, delicate acidity and silky tannins that keep everything smooth and approachable.

Winemaking

This is Paxton’s no added preservative Shiraz, made in a pure, drink-now style that puts fruit and freshness first. The winery describes it as natural organic wine, and the aim is clearly minimal handling with no added sulphur dioxide or preservatives. That approach lets the primary fruit stay front and centre, while keeping the structure soft and the wine ready to enjoy young.

Vineyard & Vintage

The wine comes from McLaren Vale, where Paxton farms under certified organic and biodynamic principles. The winery notes describe 2024 as an excellent growing season, with good winter rainfall, a moderate summer and no major heat spikes, allowing fruit to ripen evenly and retain freshness. That balance comes through in the wine’s bright berry profile and easy, lively shape.

Why We Love It

This is exactly the kind of bottle that makes preservative-free red less of a niche pick and more of a genuinely delicious everyday option. It’s bright, juicy and uncomplicated in the best way, but still has enough savoury detail to stay interesting. Pop it on the table with pizza, grilled food or a casual Friday dinner and it just works.

Food Pairing

The lively fruit and soft tannins make this especially good with relaxed, flavour-packed dishes rather than anything too heavy. It suits smoky, spicy or tomato-based food beautifully, and the medium body means it also handles vegetarian plates with ease.

Try matching this wine with →

• Woodfired pepperoni pizza — Find a Recipe
• Barbecue lentil burgers — Find a Recipe
• Sticky pork skewers — Find a Recipe

Mood or occasion to match this wine…

Perfect for pizza night, casual catch-ups, backyard dinners and those evenings when you want a good red without ceremony. Chill it slightly on a warm night and it’s even better.

Cellaring

This is made to drink now while the fruit is bright and the style is at its most lively. Over the next 1–2 years it should still show well, but this is not the bottle to squirrel away at the back of the cellar.

Producer

Paxton is one of McLaren Vale’s leading biodynamic estates, founded by viticulturist David Paxton in 1979 and still deeply rooted in farming. The family’s vineyards are certified organic and biodynamic, with a long-term commitment to soil health, biodiversity and regenerative practice across the estate. That farming focus shapes the entire range, from more cellar-worthy estate wines through to fresh, immediate bottles like the NOW series. In this wine, Paxton’s approach shows up as purity of fruit, vibrant drinking energy and a style that feels honest to both grape and place.

Related Wines To Try →

If you enjoy this bright, no-added-preservative style, these are great next bottles to try:

• Same producer, richer classic McLaren Vale Shiraz — Paxton MV Shiraz
• Another juicy no added preservative Shiraz — Organic Vines Preservative Free Shiraz
• Fresh McLaren Vale preservative-free Grenache alternative — Yangarra Preservative Free Grenache

FAQ

What does Paxton NOW Preservative Free Shiraz taste like?

It tastes of raspberry, strawberry, mulberry and plum, with a little ironstone, cold smoke and spice in the background. The palate is medium-bodied, dry and juicy, with silky tannins and a smooth, easy finish.

Is this wine dry or sweet?

It is a dry red wine. The fruit is bright and generous, but the shape of the wine is definitely dry rather than sweet.

What does no added preservative mean here?

It means no sulphur dioxide or other preservatives were added during winemaking. Like all wine, it can still contain tiny naturally occurring sulphites produced during fermentation, but it is a true No Added Preservative wine.

What is the body and tannin level like?

This sits around medium-bodied, so it has enough flavour to satisfy without becoming heavy. Tannins are low to moderate and silky, which makes it very approachable young.

Is Paxton NOW Shiraz organic, biodynamic and vegan?

Yes. It is certified organic, certified biodynamic and vegan friendly, which is one of the reasons it appeals to drinkers looking for a more conscious everyday red.

How should I serve this wine?

Serve it around 14–16°C in a medium red wine glass. You do not need to decant it, though a quick splash in the glass or a short open-bottle rest can help the fruit settle into place.

Can I cellar it?

Not really for long-term ageing. This wine is made to be enjoyed now while the fruit is vivid and the style stays bright, with perhaps 1–2 years up its sleeve if stored well.

What foods pair well with it?

It’s excellent with pizza, grilled sausages, burgers, smoky barbecue flavours and easy midweek pasta dishes. Vegetarian plates with char or tomato also work beautifully because the wine is juicy rather than tannic.

Who will enjoy this wine the most?

This is ideal for drinkers who like fruit-forward reds with softness and freshness, especially if they want something in the natural or lower-intervention zone. If you enjoy vibrant, easy-drinking Shiraz rather than a big oaky style, this is a very good fit.

How long will it last once opened?

Because it has no added preservative, it’s best within 1–2 days of opening, ideally recorked and kept in the fridge. It can still be enjoyable a little beyond that, but the freshest fruit expression is the real charm here.

(SKU: PX_NOW_CV)