Michael Shiraz is Wynns Coonawarra Estate’s best-of-vintage Shiraz. Named after David Wynn’s young son, the fruit used for this wine comes from the best vineyard sites in Coonawarra and is only made in years when the best quality fruit is available. The wine is a legend of the Australian wine story with good examples of the 1955 Michael offering an outstanding experience.
Varietal | Shiraz |
---|---|
Vintage | 2018 |
Country | Australia |
Region | Coonawarra |
Volume | 750 mL |
Closure | Screw Cap |
Alc/Vol | 14% |
Peak Drinking | Now - 2038 |
Winemaker | Sue Hodder |
Gold | 2022 Limestone Coast Wine Show |
98 Points | Ray Jordan |
97 Points | Tony Love |
97 Points | Huon Hooke |
97 Points | Ken Gargett |
96 Points | Jane Faulkner (Halliday Wine Companion) |
96 Points | Andrew Caillard MW |
96 Points | Jeni Port |
96 Points | Tyson Stelzer |
94 Points | Angus Hughson |
Bronze | 2022 International Wine and Spirit Competition |
"This super wine is made only in the best vintages, and this is a return after a short hiatus. It was first released with the 1955, and it has only been quite recently that it has become a more regular release. But that ’55 remains one of the fabled wines of Australian wine lore. There is a bright fresh cherry aroma supplemented with a liberal sprinkle of spices. The palate delivers with such finesse, yet as it opens it gathers momentum as it surges to a very long finish. One of the very finest in this line." - Ray Jordan
"While a Wynns house style is quite clear with its Old Vines Shiraz, the Michael goes to another level to express its pedigreed story as one of Australia’s finest shiraz. Best of everything, I suggest, is where it starts, including fine details intended in the oak regime with 28% new French employed. The colour is a fabulous red to purple, aromas suggesting more savoury complexities out of the kitchen herb garden. Some understanding is required to read the style which doesn’t depend on being showy at this stage but layers dark cherry with flavour-lent spices on a palate that rolls out effortlessly. Read that as supreme sophistication now, and wait for 8-15 years to see the great reveal that history tells us will invariably occur." - Tony Love
"Very deep, saturated purple/red colour. The bouquet is brooding and profound, savoury spice, graphite and oak-tinged aromas leading into a richly-textured, full-bodied palate of great depth and fleshy suppleness. Tremendous length and wonderfully mysterious depths. Lovely now but it will build and build over a long career." - Huon Hooke
Lifted aromas of blueberries with hints of bayleaf
Initially the palate is restrained and quite tight. However, the quality of the 2018 Michael is apparent through the length of the palate and the texture which is already silky. Layers of red cherries are peppered with dark spice and subtle cloves that build in intensity along the palate.
This is the pinnacle of our shiraz - medium bodied with a beautiful line and length
Coonawarra, on South Australia’s Limestone Coast, is a flat, isolated region almost mid-point between Adelaide and Melbourne. The area enjoys a cool maritime climate - similar to that of Bordeaux - and is renowned for its unique terra rossa soil. Rich, rust coloured soils… crimson sunburnt faces… magenta sunsets: this is red wine country! While Coonawarra is famous for its rich, minty Cabernet, the area also produces Shiraz and Merlot and surprisingly good Chardonnay and Riesling.
Sue Hodder is one of Australia’s best-known winemakers and this year celebrates her 29th vintage with Wynns – making wine from wonderful, expressive fruit grown in the heart of the terra rossa. Sue commenced her career as a viticulturist and believes her early viticultural training – assessing vines, analysing mature fruit and tasting the finished wine – gave her an invaluable insight into the importance of the vineyard in quality winemaking.
Sue brings valuable experience with vintages in other noted wine regions around the world and has judged extensively in Regional, National and International wine shows. She is the recipient of many accolades including GT Wines ‘Winemaker of the Year’ in 2010 (with viticulturist Allen Jenkins); and most recently ‘Winemaker of the Year’ (with Sarah Pidgeon) at the 2016 ASVO awards.