Review: Yangarra Estate Shiraz 2018

Grenache is the hero at Yangarra, but the Shiraz gets all the airtime. The previous iteration of this Yangarra Shiraz 2018 was wildly popular for a reason, and I can see this new vintage landing just as high scores.

There’s a portion of whole bunches and 50% whole berries, a splash of Viognier too, the lot spends 10 months in 20% new oak. 2017 vintage pictured, but the label hasn’t changed.

It’s a different wine this ’18 vintage release, however. Darker. More brooding. Fewer curves, more conviction, and it’s not quite ready to drink. It’s firm, drying and even, the palate still deciding whether it wants to be gruff and tannic or open and easy. The brooding middle is convincing, the finish long and just a little unapproachable. Compared to many lavish Vale reds this would seem like the goth in the corner with black nail polish and long stares.

I find this to be a thought piece rather than a seduction machine, and all the better for it. Just don’t come looking for easy sweet oak and plum fruit, and instead embrace the darkness. Best drinking: wait. 1-2 years for starters. It will drink well for a decade or more after that. 18/20, 93/100. $35, 14.5%. Would I buy it? I’d share a bottle.