96 Points James Halliday — A Clare Valley Icon from One of Australia's Most Revered Estates

My Wine Man on Wendouree

Wendouree is, quite simply, one of Australia's most mythical wine estates. Tucked into the southern Clare Valley, this small, family-run property has been producing wines of extraordinary character since 1895 — and remarkably little has changed. Ancient bush vines, dry-farmed without irrigation, yield tiny quantities of intensely concentrated fruit. The winery itself is a heritage-listed stone building; the philosophy is one of minimal intervention and maximum patience. Wendouree wines are notoriously hard to find, allocated to a loyal mailing list, and age for decades. When a bottle surfaces, it is an event.

Tasting Notes

Deep crimson with a purple rim. The nose is tightly wound yet immediately compelling — violets, sweet turned earth, dark cherry, currants, faint game meat, woody spices, and that inimitable Australian bush fragrance. On the palate, dark cherry and sweet meatiness lead, with clove, truffle, and red plum characters woven into a structure of graphite-mineral tannin with a silty chew and extraordinary stretch of flavour. Super fine-boned, elegant, and svelte — yet with a sense of drinkability that is the hallmark of the 2021 vintage. 96 Points — James Halliday

Style & Drinking Window

Full-bodied with exceptional tannin architecture — firm but refined, never aggressive. The 60/40 Shiraz/Mataro blend draws from central and eastern plots planted in 1893 and 1919, with 1920-planted eastern bush vines also contributing. This is a wine built for the long haul: drink from 2028–2045+. Decant for at least 2–3 hours if opening now.

Food Pairing

The brooding depth and earthy complexity of the 2021 Wendouree Shiraz Mataro make it a magnificent match for Australian Butterflied Lamb Leg with Rosemary & Garlic from My Meat Man. The wine's dark cherry, clove, and truffle notes complement the herb-crusted, richly flavoured lamb beautifully — whether slow-roasted in the oven, cooked low and slow on the barbecue, or carved at the table for a Sunday feast.

Why This Is a Smart Buy

At HK$999, the 2021 Wendouree Shiraz Mataro represents extraordinary value for a wine of this pedigree and scarcity. Comparable old-vine Clare Valley reds from estates of this standing — when you can find them — regularly command HK$1,500–2,000+. This is a collector's wine at a collector's price, and with only tiny quantities available globally, it won't last.

Looking for a Different Style?

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2018 d'Arenberg The Dead Arm Shiraz — iconic McLaren Vale Shiraz; rich, brooding, and age-worthy