Craiglee Shiraz 2021 is a benchmark expression of Sunbury Shiraz — produced entirely from estate-grown fruit and made on site by Winemaker Pat Carmody, with the savoury pepper and spice characters, acid-fruit balance, and smooth tannins that have made Craiglee one of Victoria’s most celebrated and distinctive Shiraz producers. Rich crimson shot with purple, with restrained aromas of charry oak, hot bitumen, baking spices, and florals; a fuller-bodied palate of sweet and toasty cedary oak, soy sauce, charred radicchio, aniseed, and squishy plums; and firm, gritty tannins to close. 93 Points, Jane Faulkner. Drinks well now and will age gracefully. Estate grown. Estate made. Sunbury at its finest.
Tasting Notes
Appearance
Rich crimson shot with purple — the deep, vibrant colour of a 100% estate-grown Sunbury Shiraz crafted on site by Winemaker Pat Carmody, with the intensity and definition that cool-climate Victorian viticulture and careful winemaking deliver.
Aroma
Restrained and complex — charry oak and hot bitumen, then a faint flutter of baking spices and florals. The distinctive, savoury, and characterful bouquet of a Sunbury Shiraz with the depth and secondary complexity that estate fruit and Pat Carmody’s winemaking consistently deliver.
Palate
Fuller-bodied and richly layered — lashings of sweet and toasty cedary oak infusing the palate, with soy sauce, charred radicchio, aniseed, and pops of squishy plums. The savoury pepper and spice characters and acid-fruit balance that define Craiglee Shiraz, with firm if gritty tannins to close.
Pairs With
A natural companion for slow-roasted lamb, grilled beef, duck confit, aged hard cheeses, and the finest Victorian table — Craiglee Shiraz 2021 is equally rewarding now and will develop extraordinary complexity with cellaring. Estate grown. Estate made. Drink now or cellar with confidence.
Finish
Firm and gritty tannins closing a palate of genuine depth and character — the long, savoury, and satisfying finish of a Sunbury Shiraz that drinks well now and will age gracefully for many years to come.
Reviews
Jane Faulkner — 93 Points | April 2025
“An excellent dark red shot with purple. Restrained aromas with charry oak and hot bitumen, then a faint flutter of baking spices and florals follow. Lots of secondary flavours making an impact with lashings of sweet and toasty, cedary oak infusing the fuller-bodied palate, soy sauce, charred radicchio, some aniseed and pops of squishy plums, too. Then firm if gritty tannins to close.”
