Wild Duck Creek Shiraz Reserve 2022 is blackcurrant jam, brambles, new leather, garrigue, mint, choc-mint, clove and cinnamon on the nose with incredible intensity, layers of spice, sweet and dark fruit and savoury characters on the palate. Wall of thick tannin, impossibly sweet and spicy finish — Heathcote estate grown, 100% new French oak, up to 27 months.
“From three estate vineyards from around Heathcote. Yes. This works. Incredible intensity and density, flow and persistence, layers and layers of spice, sweet fruit, dark fruit, savoury characters, supremely integrated oak; all at once and ongoing. Blackcurrant jam, brambles, new leather, garrigue, mint, choc-mint biscuits, breathy clove and cinnamon all jostle for attention too. There are so very many descriptors to apply here; technicolour wine of the highest order. And a striking impact. A palate drowned in flavour. Wall of thick, rumbling tannin, and then a smooth, impossibly sweet and spicy finish. How to do balance at this heft? Fairy dust. Strap in.”
96 Points — Mike Bennie, The Wine Front | Drink: 2024–2035
Tasting Notes
Appearance
This extraordinary Heathcote Shiraz presents a deep, inky purple-black colour of exceptional density and brilliance, displaying the outstanding quality characteristic of Wild Duck Creek Shiraz Reserve 2022 — sourced from three estate vineyards around Heathcote, hand-picked, open-fermented, hand-plunged and basket-pressed with up to 50% whole bunches, and aged for up to 27 months in 100% new French oak barriques. A technicolour wine of the highest order.
Aroma
The nose is immediately striking and captivating, with blackcurrant jam, brambles, new leather and garrigue creating a richly layered and deeply complex aromatic profile of extraordinary intensity and distinction. Mint, choc-mint biscuits, breathy clove and cinnamon jostle for attention alongside layers of spice, sweet fruit and dark fruit — a bouquet of incredible density, depth and authentic Heathcote Shiraz character that rewards slow, contemplative appreciation.
Palate
A palate drowned in flavour — incredible intensity and density, flow and persistence, with layers and layers of spice, sweet fruit, dark fruit and savoury characters of extraordinary depth and sophistication. Supremely integrated oak adds complexity and refinement, whilst a wall of thick, rumbling tannin delivers a structure of outstanding power and presence. The finish is smooth, impossibly sweet and spicy — a Heathcote Shiraz Reserve of rare balance, heft and enduring distinction. Drink 2024–2035.
Pairs With
This exceptional Wild Duck Creek Shiraz Reserve 2022 is a natural companion to slow-braised lamb shoulder, beef short ribs, aged hard cheeses, venison, dark chocolate, or enjoyed on its own as a contemplative expression of premium Heathcote Shiraz at its most extraordinary and powerful.
