95 Points James Halliday — A Coonawarra Legend from One of Australia's Most Storied Estates

Wynns Coonawarra Estate is the benchmark producer of Coonawarra — a region defined by its famous terra rossa soils over limestone, producing some of Australia's most age-worthy reds. Founded in 1891 and now one of the most recognised names in Australian fine wine, Wynns has spent over a century mastering the art of Coonawarra Shiraz. The Michael is their ultimate expression: a best-of-vintage selection made only when the fruit from the estate's finest vineyard blocks reaches extraordinary quality. Named after David Wynn's son, the Michael was first produced as a one-off in 1955 — a pair of barrels so exceptional they were bottled separately. Revived with the outstanding 1990 vintage, it has since become one of Australia's most collectible Shiraz labels, a wine that rewards patience and commands respect.

Tasting Notes

Deep garnet in the glass with a brick-tinged rim that speaks to two decades of graceful evolution. The nose opens with layers of dried dark fruits — blackcurrant, plum, and black olive — interwoven with cedar, leather, dark chocolate, and a whisper of eucalyptus that is quintessentially Coonawarra. On the palate, the wine is medium-to-full bodied with beautifully integrated tannins that have softened with age. Flavours of dark cherry, mocha, and dried herbs carry through to a long, savoury finish with lingering spice and earthy complexity. 95 Points, James Halliday.

Style & Drinking Window

Full-bodied with silky, well-resolved tannins and excellent acidity that has kept this wine fresh and vibrant. Now in its prime drinking window, the 2004 Michael is showing beautifully and will continue to hold through 2030+. Decant for 45–60 minutes to allow the wine to fully open and reveal its complexity.

Food Pairing

The savoury depth and dark fruit character of the 2004 Wynns Michael make it a perfect match for Australian Sher Wagyu Sirloin M5 Steak from My Meat Man. The wine's cedar, mocha, and dried herb notes complement the extraordinary marbling and umami richness of M5 Wagyu beautifully — whether seared simply in a cast iron pan, finished with butter and thyme, or sliced and served medium-rare over the coals.

Why This Is a Smart Buy

At HK$388, the 2004 Wynns Michael Limited Release Shiraz represents exceptional value for a wine of this age, pedigree, and provenance. Rated 95 Points by James Halliday, comparable aged Australian Shiraz from top estates — Penfolds, Henschke, Torbreck — regularly command two to three times this price. This is a rare opportunity to drink a genuinely iconic Australian red at a price that makes it an easy decision.

Looking for a Different Style?

- 2021 Greenock Creek Seven Acre Shiraz — a powerful, concentrated Barossa expression with plush dark fruit and exceptional structure
- 2015 Henschke Mount Edelstone Eden Valley Shiraz — an elegant, perfumed Eden Valley Shiraz with great finesse and age-worthiness
- 2010 Torbreck RunRig Shiraz Viognier — a benchmark Barossa icon with extraordinary depth, co-fermented with Viognier for aromatic lift