Passing Clouds Bendigo ‘Loddon’ Shiraz 2023

Bendigo is a wine region that often punches above its weight, and the Passing Clouds Loddon Shiraz proves it yet again. Despite being two years old, the wine still has a very youthful appearance of purple with a touch of ruby. It needs a bit of time before it shows its true self but the wait is worth it. There are gorgeous aromas of mulberry, cassis, boysenberry, blueberry and a ferrous character, with smoke, dried red fruits and cured meats from some bottle age. The palate is a delight with its concentrated flavours, and despite being 16.5%ABV, the alcohol is hidden under layers of structure, tannin, acid and richness. This is a wine that is already presenting itself really well but it will improve in the bottle even more over the next 5-10 years. Delicious.

Brendan Black

Wine Critic at Winepilot

Brendan is a Melbourne-based writer, filmmaker, playwright and composer. Since 2013, he has been published in national and regional Australian titles such as Halliday Magazine, Gourmet Traveller Wine, Grapegrower and Winemaker, Gippslandia, Gippsland Lifestyle, Yarra Valley and Ranges and Gippsland Country Life magazines. Brendan was a finalist for 2024 Wine Communicator Awards in the 'Best Published Feature Article or Wine Column' category. He has completed the WSET Level 3 course (gaining a Distinction) and has a passion for small producers of wine, beer and spirits. He is also the co-editor of 'I'm Not a Film Star: David Bowie as Actor' for Bloomsbury Academic.

Author and wine writer