98 Points – James Halliday | A Perfect Rendition of Clare Valley Shiraz

The 2013 Wendouree Shiraz is, in James Halliday's own words, a perfect rendition of medium-bodied Shiraz — a wine of exceptional texture, purity and restraint from one of Australia's most revered and fiercely traditional estates. Burdened neither by massive alcohol nor heavy oak, this is Clare Valley Shiraz at its most compelling and complete.

With 98 points from James Halliday, the 2013 sits at the very pinnacle of Australian Shiraz — a collector-grade wine of rare quality that demonstrates exactly why Wendouree occupies a singular and irreplaceable position in Australian wine history.

My Wine Man on Wendouree

Wendouree is not a winery that courts attention — it earns it. Established in 1892 in the Clare Valley, South Australia, Wendouree is one of Australia's oldest and most storied estates, farming ancient dry-grown vines on red-brown loam over limestone with a philosophy that has changed little in over a century.

Tony and Lita Brady have stewarded Wendouree since 1974 with an unwavering commitment to minimal intervention, estate-grown fruit, and wines built for the long haul. Production is tiny, allocation is fiercely sought after, and bottles rarely surface on the secondary market. When they do, they command serious attention.

The 2013 vintage in Clare Valley was exceptional — producing wines of outstanding concentration, balance and longevity. Wendouree's 2013 Shiraz is the finest expression of that vintage from one of Australia's greatest estates.

Tasting Notes

Deep, vivid crimson in the glass — a colour of intensity and youth that speaks to the exceptional fruit quality of the 2013 vintage. On the nose: blackberry leads, supported by hints of liquorice, dark earth, dried herbs and a whisper of cedar spice. The aromatics are precise, layered and deeply expressive — everything in its right place. The palate is medium-bodied with exceptional overall texture — smooth, supple tannins that carry the wine's black fruit core with effortless grace. The finish is long, composed and deeply satisfying, with the kind of length and persistence that only comes from truly great fruit and masterful winemaking. 98 Points – James Halliday.

Style & Drinking Window

Medium-bodied with smooth, supple tannins and bright natural acidity. The 2013 is drinking magnificently now — at or approaching peak maturity — with the structure, concentration and balance to continue evolving through 2035 and beyond. Decant for 45–60 minutes to allow the wine to fully open and reveal its full complexity.

Food Pairing

The exceptional texture and black fruit purity of the 2013 Wendouree Shiraz make it a magnificent match for Australian Grass-Fed White Stripe Premium Lamb Rack (Frenched, Cap On) from My Meat Man — herb-crusted and roasted pink with rosemary, garlic and a red wine jus, the elegant frenched rack is a magnificent match for the 2013's blackberry, liquorice, dried herb and supple, slow-fading Clare Valley tannins. A pairing that does justice to both.

Why This Is a Smart Buy

A 98-point Wendouree is an extraordinary thing. This is one of Australia's most allocation-scarce, collector-grade producers at the peak of its powers in an exceptional vintage — and bottles at this level of quality rarely surface on the open market.

At HK$1,488, the 2013 Wendouree Shiraz delivers:

• 98 James Halliday points — among the finest Clare Valley Shirazes ever produced
• exceptional texture and black fruit purity from a standout Clare Valley vintage
• one of Australia's most sought-after and allocation-scarce producers at its absolute best

Looking for a Different Style?

• 2015 Wendouree Shiraz → peer 98pt Halliday vintage / younger sibling / extraordinary longevity
• 2005 Wendouree Shiraz → 95pt Halliday / 20 years of bottle age / drinking at peak
• Eldredge Blue Chip Clare Valley Shiraz 2016 → Clare Valley Shiraz / more approachable style