Yangarra Estate Shiraz 2023: Tasting Notes

WINE STYLE → Poised, savoury & site-driven

This is the “house” Shiraz from Yangarra — a beautifully composed, site-driven expression that sits between the easy-drinking Circle style and the intensity of Ironheart. It’s all Blewitt Springs perfume and spice: blackberry and plum, black pepper and violets, with a savoury, mineral undertow. Medium- to full-bodied without heaviness, it finishes dry with fine tannins and a long, chalky line that keeps everything feeling fresh and refined.

Highlights

• Certified biodynamic and organic; vegan-suitable
• 94 points – Halliday Wine Companion (2023 vintage)
• From Yangarra’s single-vineyard estate, Blewitt Springs (McLaren Vale)
• Wild fermentation; gentle extraction for perfume and tannin quality
• Matured in older French oak (large-format) for around 11 months for shape, not sweetness
• 13.8% ABV

Tasting Notes

Dark berries and plum with a lifted violet note, black pepper, and savoury spice. The palate is medium- to full-bodied and finely structured, with a chalky mineral feel to the tannins and a long, dry finish. It’s classic Yangarra: fruit purity, spice detail, and a sense of line that makes it feel composed rather than rich.

Winemaking

Estate-grown Shiraz is handled gently to preserve perfume and tannin finesse, with wild fermentation and careful extraction. The wine matures in older French oak (large-format) to integrate structure and add subtle savoury complexity without overt oak sweetness.

Vineyard & Vintage

From Yangarra’s single estate in Blewitt Springs (north-east McLaren Vale), where elevation and ancient North Maslin Sands soils shape the wines toward fragrance and finesse. The 2023 vintage produced Shiraz with bright fruit, spice lift and fine tannin structure — a natural fit for Yangarra’s restrained, site-driven style.

Why We Love It

Because it’s the smartest way into Yangarra Shiraz. It delivers the estate’s signature perfume, savoury structure and mineral line at a level that’s still generous and easy to drink. It’s also a brilliant “dinner table” Shiraz — elegant enough for a proper meal, but relaxed enough for weeknights.

Food Pairing

Perfect with lamb, grilled meats, roast chicken, mushrooms, and tomato-based pastas. The peppery lift loves rosemary and thyme, and the mineral finish makes it great with char and smoke.

Try matching this wine with →

• Lamb ragu — Find a Recipe
• BBQ lamb — Find a Recipe
• Mushroom pasta — Find a Recipe

Mood or occasion to match this wine…

Your “bring-to-dinner” Shiraz — impressive without being showy. Pour it for friends who like classic reds, and it will win them over with perfume, spice and that composed Yangarra finish. If you want it at its best, give it a quick decant or simply pour early and let it open as dinner unfolds.

Cellaring

Excellent now with a little air, and will cellar comfortably for 5–10 years, gaining more savoury depth as the fruit settles and the tannins knit.

Producer

Yangarra is a single-vineyard estate in Blewitt Springs (McLaren Vale), renowned for biodynamic farming and Rhône-variety mastery. The estate’s elevation and ancient sands over ironstone deliver fragrance and fine structure — and their Shiraz, in particular, often shows a peppery lift and mineral line rather than jammy weight. Estate Shiraz is the benchmark, site-driven expression: serious, but beautifully drinkable.

Related Wines To Try →

• From Yangarra, preservative-free and no-additions — Yangarra Preservative Free Shiraz 2022
• From Yangarra, flagship depth — Yangarra Ironheart Shiraz 2018
• Best-value preservative-free favourite — Organic Vines Shiraz

FAQ

How is Estate Shiraz different from Circle Shiraz?

Estate Shiraz is a step up in detail, structure and length. Circle is designed for earlier drinking and easy flow; Estate adds more savoury complexity, finer tannin shape and a longer mineral finish.

Is it a big, jammy Shiraz?

No — it’s more poised and site-driven. Expect dark berries, pepper and spice with a mineral line and fine tannins, rather than sweetness or heavy oak.

Should I decant it?

Optional, but helpful. A quick decant (20–40 minutes) lifts the aromatics and makes the tannins feel even more polished.

What should I serve it with?

Lamb, grilled meats, roast chicken, mushrooms and tomato-based pasta are all perfect. It also shines with char and smoky flavours.

How long can I cellar it?

5–10 years. It will gain savoury depth and spice complexity over time while the tannins integrate.

Who will love it most?

Shiraz drinkers who like perfume, spice and structure — and anyone who wants a refined McLaren Vale red that works brilliantly at the table.

(SKU: YG_SHI_CV)