Gundog Estate Marksman’s Game Shiraz 2023

If anyone needed convincing that exciting things are happening in Canberra (I speak only of wine, of course), aside from the efforts of the usual suspects, look no further. The team have combined the best parcels they have from the region and given them sixteen months maturation in French oak puncheons, with 37% of them new. It is exciting stuff. A deep purple colour, the nose provides an array of flavours, with spices, bay leaves, dried herbs, cherries, plums, raspberries, milk chocolate and aniseed. All very much cool climate stuff, this is beautifully crafted with serious length. It maintains its intensity throughout, but it is also a wine of refinement and elegance. There are silky tannins and a finish which lingers. Love it. It should provide exquisite pleasure over the next ten to twelve years and should improve even further.