A blend of the best fruit from the Hilltops region coming from Brian Freeman’s eponymous vineyard in Prunevale and the Boorowa vineyard maintained by Roger Clark. 16 months maturation in French oak puncheons (25% new). Note, bottle image is of 2022, but no other changes.

Gundog Estate, Flintlock, Shiraz, Hilltops, 2023

Medium garnet with pale ruby rim. Milk chocolate, soaking plums, deep rose petal, blackberries, blue metal gravel, spices of clove and white pepper, rare cooked beef (with that juicy, bloody centre) wrapped with a little creaminess. Spice and lift are trademarks, with exquisite balance. The reduction of new oak from the 2022 is welcomed to allow the fruit to stand on its own two feet. The palate has great length and comes and goes in waves: just when you think the structure will take over the fruit, it comes right back around. The best of the three 2023 top tier Shiraz from Gundog.

RRP: $80
Alc: 13.6%
Rating: 95/100

Wine sample courtesy of Gundog Estate