Mitchelton’s new Chief Winemaker Nat Cleghorn comes to Mitchelton after a couple of years helping right the Katnook Coonawarra ship for Accolade and prior to that, spending many years crafting award winning wines for Yalumba.

An easy drive from Melbourne and nestled on the banks of the Goulburn River, the site is dominated by the 55 metre tower, designed by renowned architect Ted Ashton, where the tasting of the below wines was held. The Blackwood Park Riesling has been a long admired and consistent label, the wine named after the original property where Mitchelton now grow their grapes, having vines first planted in 1969. While the Print (mainly) Shiraz, is intended to be the best red of the vintage.

Along with an excellent focus on local food in the restaurants, Mitchelton is home to Australia’s largest commercial gallery of Aboriginal artworks. These artworks are worth the trip alone to view, get lost in and perhaps, invest in.

The restaurant(s) and hotel have had recent substantial investments and now the winery takes its turn to be the focus to continue the renewal of this beloved label. With plenty of support from Mitchelton’s owner, Gerry Ryan OAM, Nat Cleghorn and the team have a unique opportunity to show what this special site is capable of.

Blackwood Park Riesling

Mitchelton, Blackwood Park, Riesling, Nagambie Lakes, 2023

Winemaker: Nat Cleghorn. Pretty and floral. Rosewater, musk, apple blossom, pink lady apple skin and delicate ash. Generous with fine concentration, soft phenolic grip, balance acidity and a decent length to the drying finish.

RRP: $28 (expected RRP)
Alc: 12.5%
Rating: 94/100

Mitchelton, Blackwood Park, Riesling, Nagambie Lakes, 2017

Winemaker: Travis Clydesdale. Lanolin, apple flesh and blossom, lime skin citrus, a hint of rose and a creamy, protein like element. Round, yet remaining delicate. Fine focus and a central drive of juicy salivating acidity with drying phenolics. Still developing.
Alc: 12.5%
Rating: 92/100

Mitchelton, Blackwood Park, Riesling, Nagambie Lakes, 2013

Winemaker: Travis Clydesdale. Rich and fragrant with nashi pear flesh and riper lime and apple tones. Mid weight yet almost muscular. Waxy components over a slick mid palate sharpened with biting acidity. Plenty of tension and length. Outstanding.
Alc: 12.5%
Rating: 96/100

Mitchelton, Blackwood Park, Riesling, Nagambie Lakes, 2010

Winemaker: Travis Clydesdale. Still carrying a green hue. Some TDN hints of rich development over lime brûlée, wax, apple flesh, tea cake spice and lime sorbet. Upright and spiced. The initial breadth of the palate dovetailing into a neat focus. The finish drying and chalky.
Alc: 12.5%
Rating: 94/100

Mitchelton, Blackwood Park, Riesling, Nagambie Lakes, 2003

Winemaker: Toby Barlow. Screwcap. Soft gold hue. Flannel and touches of richness, balsa and apple wood, musky notes and sweet toffee apple. Developing palate: full, rich and square of ripe tropicals with persistence through a firm finish.
Alc: 13%
Rating: 92/100

Mitchelton, Blackwood Park, Riesling, Nagambie Lakes, 2000

Winemaker: Don Lewis. Cork. Golden hue. Developing nose: Jersey caramel, ripe apple flesh, pear skin, steel and malt biscuit.  Rich and still biting. Waxy phenolics and a broad, creamy, toasty palate while the finish is still tight and drying.
Alc: 13%
Rating: 93/100

Mitchelton, Blackwood Park, Riesling, Nagambie Lakes, 1998

Winemaker: Don Lewis. Cork. Biscuity richness, pomme skin, pumpkin seeds, apple flesh, grilled lime and ginger spice. Finely bodied and just starting to broaden out. Spiced and juicy with black tea tannins and softening phenolics. Still carrying quite a length. Lovely wine.
Alc: 12.5%
Rating: 96/100

Mitchelton, Blackwood Park, Riesling, Nagambie Lakes, 1996

Winemaker: Don Lewis. Cork. Ginger nut snap biscuit, apple blossom, pomme skin, musk and brûlée. Still with lovely balance and holding on to primary focus with sharp acidity. Good length with a soft, chalky grip.
Alc: 13%
Rating: 94/100

Mitchelton, Blackwood Park, Riesling, Nagambie Lakes, 1994

Winemaker: Don Lewis. Cork. Toffee to caramel hue. Pear and apple skin, ginger biscuit, wax and toffee with a little tea cake spice. Acidity dissipated, short finish and well past best.
Alc: 13%
Rating: NR

Mitchelton, Blackwood Park, Riesling, Nagambie Lakes, 1989

Winemaker: Don Lewis. Cork. Musty cork notes, stripped and short.
Alc: 12.5%
Rating: NR

Print Series

Mitchelton’s peak red each vintage. Though widely regarded as pure Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon takes more than a few highlights throughout the years.

Mitchelton, Print Series, Shiraz, Heathcote, 2023

Winemaker: Natalie Cleghorn. 80% Heathcote and 20% Estate Nagambie fruit. Still incredibly primary. Medium bodied, plush with mixed red berries, anise and soft, cuddly tannins. Young and spicy with bright acidity.
Alc: 14.2%
Rating: 94/100

Mitchelton, Print Series, Shiraz, 2019

Winemaker: Andrew Santarossa. Bright rim. Chocolate and blue fruit nose. Very high toned with a waxy, lipstick under note. Perky and spiced palate. Tight with hard acidity on the teeth feeling.
Alc: 14.8%
Rating: 89/100

Mitchelton, Print Series, Shiraz, 2015

Winemaker: Travis Clydesdale. Brick red edge but primary garnet core. Earth and red berry fruit with a cool elegance on the nose. Mid weight to just full. Firm tannins still holding structure over fruit for the moment but will be a long term option to develop.
Alc: 14.5%
Rating: 94/100

Mitchelton, Print Series, Shiraz, 2013

Winemaker: Travis Clydesdale. Colour advanced for ten year old wine under screwcap. Nose of deep chocolate, protein rich creamy depth, hazelnut, earth and redcurrant. Bright palate. Mid weight elegance with a cute red berry profile and plenty of drying tannins through a long length.
Alc: 14%
Rating: 95/100

Mitchelton, Print Series, Shiraz, 2004

Winemaker: Toby Barlow. From magnum under cork. Bricking red to the rim. Dark berry and some Nagambie mint, plum sauce, ganache and a developing creamy richness. Firm body with structure and spice. Fine, grainy tannin with leather and licorice strap flavours through the finish. Perfect drinking now.
Alc: 14.5%
Rating: 93/100

Mitchelton, Print Series, Shiraz, 1998

Winemaker: Don Lewis. Cork. Starting to brick in hue. A slight vegetal green note over leather, anise and charcuterie. The palate still seemingly jerky and perky with spice, dark fruit and touches of oak cedar. Drink now.
Alc: 14.5%
Rating: 90/100

Mitchelton, Print Series, Shiraz, 1996

Winemaker: Don Lewis. Cork. Choc mint and regional leaf with meaty depth, damp coffee grounds and plum flesh. Silky and plush with exceptional mid-weight elegance. Peppery spice and persuasive tannins, just starting to thin a little through the long finish but holding up wonderfully
Alc: 13.5%
Rating: 96/100

Mitchelton, Print Series, Cabernet Sauvignon, 1993

Winemaker: Don Lewis. Cork. Cigar box and leafy hedgerow. Some cassis, cigar box and tomato leaf. Secondary flavours of pan juice and old coffee grounds. Tannins fully integrated and fruit fading. Still has charm, but well past best.
Alc: 13.8%
Rating: 89/100

Mitchelton, Print Series, Shiraz, 1990

Winemaker: Don Lewis. Cork. There was discussion among our tasting group whether or not this may have indeed had some Moonambel fruit in the mix. Beautiful colour, only just starting to lighten at the edges. Concentrated and flowing with black fruit, soft meaty edges, chocolatey oak and a little mint. Still with puppy flesh, red and black fruit berries and fine, elegant tannins through the medium bodied. A pleasure to taste.
Alc: 13.5%
Rating: 97/100

Mitchelton, Print Series, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot 1985

Winemaker: Don Lewis. Cork. Well past best.
Alc: 12.8%
Rating: NR

Wine tasting, accommodation and travel courtesy of Mitchelton