Evans & Tate Shiraz

Evans & Tate Shiraz is a 750ml Margaret River red wine bottled at 14.5% ABV, showcasing the savory, spice-driven Shiraz style of Western Australia's most celebrated wine region. Evans & Tate earned the Best Shiraz Trophy at the Margaret River Wine Show 2024, underscoring the winery's command of this varietal.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: Margaret River, Western Australia  |  Varietal: Shiraz  |  Producer: Evans & Tate

Production & Heritage

Evans & Tate draws its Shiraz fruit from vineyard sites in the northern and north-eastern reaches of the Margaret River growing region, where a more temperate climate coaxes the varietal toward a perfumed, medium-bodied style rather than the blockbuster profiles common in warmer Australian zones. Grapes are harvested during the coolest part of the night to preserve freshness, then undergo cold soaking to draw out aromatic complexity before fermentation. After pressing, the wine is racked off yeast lees and matured in seasoned large-format 500-litre French oak puncheons for nine months — a deliberate choice that frames the fruit without overwhelming its peppery, savory character.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Ripe cassis and red plum lead, followed by layers of salted liquorice and black olive tapenade. Cedary oak and a violet high note add complexity above a quiet graphite-like minerality.

Taste: The entry is bright with mulberry and dark plum before a wave of peat, cracked pepper, and deep cassis builds across the mid-palate. Intense yet controlled, the fruit rides within fine-grained, powdery tannins that provide structure without astringency. A spicy plum and cherry core carries vanilla pod concentration through to the peak.

Finish: Medium-to-long, with powdery tannins lingering alongside peppery spice and a subtle graphite undertone. The brightness of the fruit stays energetic right through the close, leaving a clean, savory aftertaste.

How to Drink Evans & Tate Shiraz

This Shiraz is at its best served at around 16–18°C in a large-bowled glass that funnels its aromatic complexity upward. A short 20-minute decant opens up the mid-palate generously. Kalimotxo — the classic red wine and cola combination — works here because the wine's peppery spice balances the sweetness cleanly. A Shiraz Sangria built with stone fruit and cinnamon plays directly into the wine's dark plum and spice character. For a contemporary serve, a New York Sour made with this Shiraz as the float adds savory depth and color to the whiskey base.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners that call for a rewarding but food-friendly red
• Introducing Australian Shiraz to drinkers familiar only with Barossa styles
• Gifting a wine lover who appreciates cool-climate, savory reds
• Building a Margaret River tasting flight alongside regional Cabernet Sauvignon

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Evans & Tate Shiraz taste like? It delivers ripe cassis and dark plum wrapped in cracked pepper, black olive, and fine powdery tannins. The overall impression is bright, savory, and medium-bodied rather than jammy or over-extracted.

How does Evans & Tate Shiraz compare to Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon? Where Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon typically emphasizes structured tannins and blackcurrant, Evans & Tate Shiraz leans toward softer, spice-driven fruit with a more perfumed aromatic profile. Both share a regional thread of graphite-like minerality, but the Shiraz is generally more approachable at a younger age.

Is Evans & Tate Shiraz good for sipping on its own? Yes — the balanced tannin structure and bright fruit make it very approachable neat, particularly after a brief decant to let the peppery aromatics open up fully.

Where is Evans & Tate Shiraz made? It is produced by Evans & Tate in the Margaret River wine region of Western Australia, with fruit sourced from vineyard sites in the northern and north-eastern parts of the growing area where conditions favor Shiraz ripening.

What foods pair well with Evans & Tate Shiraz? Slow-roasted lamb shoulder complements the wine's peppery spice. Chargrilled beef skewers with chimichurri echo its herbal savory notes. Aged cheddar mirrors the tannic structure. Mushroom risotto amplifies the earthy, graphite-like undertones. Merguez sausage matches the wine's intensity and spice register.

What sizes does Evans & Tate Shiraz come in? The standard release is available in a 750ml bottle.

Is Evans & Tate Shiraz worth the price? It positions as a core-range Margaret River red, offering genuine regional character and careful winemaking at an accessible entry point within the Evans & Tate portfolio — strong value for a cool-climate Australian Shiraz.

Why Evans & Tate Shiraz?

Night harvesting and extended cold soaking are not standard practice at every Margaret River winery, and they contribute directly to the aromatic lift and savory complexity that define this wine. Maturation in large-format 500-litre French oak puncheons — rather than smaller barriques — preserves the peppery, perfumed fruit character that distinguishes Margaret River Shiraz from its warmer-climate Australian counterparts. The Best Shiraz Trophy at the Margaret River Wine Show 2024 validates the winery's approach to the varietal at the regional level. For anyone exploring the more restrained, spice-forward side of Australian Shiraz, this bottle makes a compelling and well-priced case.