The Colonial Estate Explorateur Barossa Valley Shiraz 2023 Dozen

The Colonial Estate Explorateur Barossa Valley Shiraz 2023 captures the pure opulence and depth of one of Australia’s most revered wine regions. Sourced from low-yielding vineyards across Marananga, Greenock, Moppa, Ebenezer and Stockwell — a legendary north-western Barossa Valley corridor — this wine reflects a terroir celebrated for producing some of the most structured and expressive Shiraz in the country. Crafted with the same precision and equipment as the estate’s flagship wines, fermentation follows a French-inspired approach for most of the fruit, resulting in an elegant yet powerful expression of Barossa Shiraz. In the glass, it glows deep purple with a red-brick rim, hinting at both richness and finesse. Ripe blackberry, licorice, aniseed and subtle oak aromas rise from the glass, setting the stage for a plush and layered palate. Blackberry and plum flavours unfold with velvety precision, evolving into a mid-palate of fine-grained tannins and savoury complexity. Notes of olive, roasted cashew and charry oak linger long into a smooth, moreish finish. Awarded 95 Points and Gold Medal, this vintage is a testament to the power and elegance of Barossa Shiraz. It’s the perfect partner for braised lamb shanks, beef short ribs, pepper-crusted steak or aged cheddar, and will continue to evolve beautifully with cellaring.