2023 Charteris Hunter Valley Shiraz

PJ Charteris has been working with Hunter Shiraz long enough to know when to step back - and this wine feels like exactly that. Sourced from 30-year-old vines in Pokolbin, it’s made with a light hand and a clear sense of what makes the region tick. Mostly seasoned oak, just 10% new, and nothing getting in the way of the fruit.

It’s medium-bodied and pretty understated - red plum, cherry skin, a bit of spice and red liquorice. There’s some floral lift and a touch of graphite, but nothing shouting for attention. The tannins are fine and silky, the acid’s gentle but keeps things moving. It’s savoury, calm, and just really nicely balanced.

This is proper, drink-now Hunter Shiraz. It’s not trying to be big or brooding - it’s just well-made and effortlessly enjoyable, the way good Hunter always should be.

95 points
"A beautifully balanced, medium-weight shiraz that over-delivers in harmony and charm."
- Toni Paterson (Halliday Wine Companion)