2023 Thomas Wines The Cote Shiraz

The Cote d’Or vineyard in central Pokolbin has roots stretching back to 1866, when the pioneering Wilkinson family first planted vines on its steep, fossil-studded ridge. Those original vines are long gone, but the 1971 replanting has proven just as storied, producing Shiraz of poise, fragrance, and effortless mid-weight Hunter charm.

The 2023 vintage looked shaky early on after a nasty hailstorm, but patience and persistence paid off. By March, pockets of pristine fruit revealed themselves, and selective handpicking gave Andrew Thomas what he now calls the best Cote since 2019.

In the glass, it’s everything you want from Hunter Shiraz: medium-bodied yet layered, with dark cherry, mulberry, and blackberry lifted by spice, dried herbs and a faint pink peppercorn note. French oak plays only a supporting role, letting the vineyard’s floral perfume and silky tannin structure lead the way.

It’s approachable now - supple, elegant, and a joy to drink - but has the balance to develop beautifully over the next decade. A wine that speaks both to the resilience of the Hunter and Thomas’s knack for coaxing the best from its great sites.

"A brightly fruited wine, modern in style, with fabulous aromatics."
- Toni Paterson MW (Halliday Wine Companion)