Payne’s Rise Redlands Shiraz 2024

Seventy percent destemmed, the wine spent 12 months in a combination of 20% new barriques and older oak. It was bottled unfined and unfiltered. The colour is a vivid purple with a blue tinge. The nose is compact and dense, reluctant to give up all its aromas in just a few sniffs. Notes of turned earth, clove and pink peppercorn sit alongside mulberries, blackberries, coffee bean and dark cocoa. The palate is decidedly savoury, with chunky tannins carrying an iron-like edge, perhaps a reflection of the local red ferrosol soils. An herbal lift of dried sage and rosemary, with a sprinkle of cinnamon, betrays the 30% whole-bunch component. Overall, it is a well composed and well-balanced wine, finishing with a fine, gracious, fruit-led length.