Altera Terra Corda Pinot Noir Shiraz 2023

The winemaker showcases multi-regional wine blends – a traditional Australian forte – like few others. It’s a delicate winemaking art. Here, Macedon and Murrumbateman fruit sing in cool climate unison. First impression is of texture and spice and dark fruits, but then the tension and fine, structural tannins kick in. This is a serious wine of serious intent. Blackberries, dark plum, loganberry with lifted florals in violet with aniseed and briar, offer a highly aromatic aroma. There is a gentle spiciness among the black fruits with an aromatic depth and a background note of pepperiness that elevates the palate. Fruit is still opening up, but everything is in its place including firm, fine tannins. Pinot Noir Shiraz is up there with the great Aussie blend of Cabernet Shiraz, one that reflects the open-minded approach of Australian winemakers. While some are made with early drinking in mind, Corda is an exception, an elegant reminder of just how good it can be.

Jeni Port

Wine critic at Winepilot

Jeni Port is one of Australia’s top wine communicators. Based in Melbourne, Jeni created the first wine column in the (then) Sun News-Pictorial before moving over to The Age and becoming that paper’s longest-serving wine writer. Over the years she has written for most Australian wine magazines and these days calls WinePilot home. She is also a Tasting Panel member on the Halliday Wine Companion. She was named Wine Communicator of the Year and Legend of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival in 2014 and in 2018 Legend of the Vine. She is a founding board member of Australian Women In Wine and is the co-deputy chair of Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards and China’s Wine List of the Year Awards.

Wine writer and critic