Temple Bruer Preservative Free Shiraz 2023: Tasting Notes

WINE STYLE → PEPPERY SHIRAZ PURITY

This preservative-free Shiraz is bold in flavour yet neatly shaped—dark-fruited, peppery, and built to work with food. The aromatics swing from blueberry, blackberry and plum into black pepper, clove and a liquorice flicker. On the palate it’s medium-to-full bodied with real weight, showing black fruit, leather and a savoury, smoky edge (think smoked bacon), finished with firm tannins and a dry, steady line.

Highlights

• Certified organic and vegan-suitable
• Preservative-free (no added sulphur dioxide)
• Blueberry, blackberry, plum, clove and black pepper aromas
• Savoury palate detail: leather, fennel and a smoky, meaty edge
• Dry finish with firm tannins and good length

Taste Profile

Tasting Notes

Deep ruby in the glass. The nose leads with blueberry, blackberry and plum, then clove, black pepper and liquorice. The palate has a rich, dark-fruit core with savoury layers of leather and fennel, plus a smoky, meaty note that keeps it firmly in “dinner red” territory. It finishes dry with firm tannins and a long, spicy tail.

Winemaking

Fruit is harvested across multiple sites and fermented to build colour, flavour and tannin, then the wine undergoes malolactic fermentation for a rounder flow. Oak is used as a seasoning—predominantly French, with a smaller portion of American oak—adding spice and structure rather than sweetness. True to the preservative-free brief, no sulphur dioxide is added at any point.

Vineyard & Vintage

This Shiraz is drawn from a blend of South Australian vineyards: Riverland (52%), Currency Creek (41%) and Langhorne Creek (7%). The mix delivers ripe black fruit from warmer sites, with lift and savoury detail from the cooler, coastal-influenced blocks. The wine is dry (RS 0.6 g/L) and sits at a moderate 13.0% ABV, with naturally bright acidity to keep the finish clean.

Why We Love It

Because it’s proper Shiraz—dark fruit, pepper, spice and tannin—without the heaviness or sweetness that can creep into the style. The savoury “smoked” character makes it ridiculously good with food, and the preservative-free profile is a rare find in a red with this much structure.

Food Pairing

This Shiraz is made for char, spice and slow-cooked depth. Try matching this wine with →

• Slow-roasted lamb shoulder → Recipe Search
• Chargrilled eggplant with yoghurt and spices → Recipe Search
• Pepper steak (or pepper mushroom steaks) → Recipe Search

Mood or occasion to match this wine…

Bring it out when the menu has smoke, spice or a slow-cooked vibe—barbecue, winter stews, or a Sunday roast with plenty of herbs.

Cellaring

Enjoy now for bold fruit and peppery energy, or cellar for up to 5 years as the wine moves toward more savoury, leathery complexity. The firm tannins and dry finish give it the bones to soften nicely over time. If opening young, a little air will help the spice and smoky notes knit in.

Producer

Temple Bruer is a South Australian family winery and a long-time leader in organic, minimal-intervention winemaking. Their preservative-free range began in 2006, prompted by Barbara Bruer’s challenge to see whether a wine could be made cleanly and confidently without adding sulphur dioxide. Since then, the philosophy has stayed consistent: certified organic fruit, careful site selection, and meticulous handling in the winery to keep oxidation in check. This Shiraz blends fruit from Riverland, Currency Creek and Langhorne Creek, marrying ripe black-fruit generosity with a lifted, savoury edge.

Related Wines To Try →

If you love this dark-fruited, preservative-free red style, try these next:

• More plushness with mocha spice → Temple Bruer Preservative Free Shiraz Malbec 2022
• Cabernet-led structure with cassis and dried herbs → Temple Bruer Preservative Free Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2023
• Explore more from the producer → Shop Temple Bruer

FAQ

What does it taste like?

Dark berries straight up—blueberry, blackberry and plum—followed by clove, pepper and a liquorice edge. The palate adds savoury depth with leather and a smoky, meaty note, then finishes dry. Firm tannins give it structure and make it excellent with food.

Is it sweet or dry?

Dry. The fruit is ripe and generous, but the finish stays savoury and tidy rather than sweet. It’s the kind of Shiraz that refreshes between bites.

How full-bodied is it, and what are the tannins like?

Medium-to-full bodied with a rich palate weight. Tannins are firm, giving grip and length, but they’re not harsh. Acidity sits at a balanced level, which keeps the dark fruit lively.

What temperature should I serve it at, and what glassware works best?

Aim for 16–18°C—cooler than a warm room so the pepper and spice stay bright. A Bordeaux-style red glass (or any larger-bowled red glass) helps the aromatics open. If the bottle is warm, 10 minutes in the fridge is an easy fix.

Should I decant it?

Recommended, especially if you’re opening it young. A 30–60 minute decant softens the tannins and lets the smoky, savoury layers integrate. If you don’t have a decanter, a splashy pour into a jug works surprisingly well.

How long can I cellar it?

Drink now or cellar for up to 5 years. With time, the fruit shifts from juicy blackberry toward more savoury, leathery notes and the tannins relax. It’s a good one to buy a couple of bottles and see how it evolves.

Is it preservative-free, and what about sulphites?

Yes—this wine is preservative-free, meaning no sulphur dioxide is added. The product specs list Free SO2 at 0 ppm and Total SO2 at 0 ppm. It’s one of the clearest options if you’re actively avoiding added preservatives.

Is it organic and vegan-suitable?

Yes—product specs list it as certified organic and vegan-suitable. That makes it a strong choice for plant-based dinners where you still want a structured red. In the glass, it’s classic Shiraz character: dark fruit, pepper and spice.

What food is best with it?

Slow-roasted lamb, barbecued meats, mushroom dishes and anything smoky or spiced. The firm tannins love protein and char, and the peppery lift works beautifully with rosemary, cumin and paprika. For a vegetarian match, go for grilled eggplant, lentils or mushrooms.

Who will love it, and what can I compare this wine to?

This suits Shiraz drinkers who like pepper, spice and a dry, structured finish. If you enjoy cool-climate or savoury-leaning Shiraz (less jam, more lift and grip), you’ll love this. For a similar vibe with extra plushness, compare it to Temple Bruer’s Shiraz Malbec.

(SKU: TB_PFS_CV)