2023 Ravensworth Shiraz Viognier

Few winemakers know Shiraz Viognier like Bryan Martin. He spent years at Clonakilla helping shape Australia’s most famous example of the style, and for nearly two decades he’s been honing his own version under the Ravensworth label. Today, his estate-grown Shiraz Viognier is one of Canberra’s most talked-about wines.

The 2023 vintage shows why. It’s cool-climate Shiraz at its most captivating: floral, spicy and red-fruited, lifted by just a whisper of Viognier. That small addition isn’t about perfume alone – Bryan uses it to shape the palate, giving the wine a silky, seamless feel that’s become a hallmark of Ravensworth.

This is a wine that feels effortlessly together even in youth, with layers of cherry, spice and dried flowers already meshing beautifully. The structure is fine and long, suggesting a decade in the cellar will only add complexity, though it’s dangerously drinkable now with lamb or anything fragrant and spiced.

Production is small – only 700 dozen made – and demand is high. If you’re serious about Shiraz Viognier, this belongs in your collection.