Wirra Wirra Shiraz

Wirra Wirra Shiraz is a full-bodied McLaren Vale Shiraz made from 100% Shiraz grapes, bottled at approximately 14.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. The flagship RSW expression earned 93 points from James Suckling for its 2022 vintage, underscoring the consistent quality Wirra Wirra achieves across its Shiraz range from some of the region's oldest plantings.

Quick Facts: ABV: ~14.5%  |  Origin: McLaren Vale, South Australia  |  Varietal: 100% Shiraz  |  Producer: Wirra Wirra Vineyards

Production & Heritage

Wirra Wirra Vineyards was originally established in 1894 by Robert Strangways Wigley in McLaren Vale, one of Australia's most respected Shiraz-producing regions. The winery was revived in 1969 by the late Greg Trott and has since become one of the sub-region's benchmark producers. The Shiraz is sourced from 50-year-old vines farmed biodynamically, drawing fruit from sandy soils and old-vine plantings directly behind the winery as well as elevated sites in Blewitt Springs. Winemaking is overseen by a team led by Emma Wood, Tom Ravech, Kelly Wellington, and Grace Wang, with around 30% new French oak contributing structure without overwhelming the fruit. The combination of old vines, careful site selection, and restrained oak use gives this wine its trademark density and balance.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with polished dark and blue fruits before revealing layers of lavender, graphite, and pencil shavings. Deeper notes of earthy mushroom, molasses, and a peppery spice character emerge with time in the glass.

Taste: The entry is rich and immediate, with dense blackberry and black plum fruit flooding the mid-palate. Chocolate ganache, mocha, and salt bush flavors develop through a full-bodied frame, supported by crisp acidity that lifts the wine and keeps it from becoming heavy. Despite its considerable scale, the wine maintains balance across front and mid-palate.

Finish: Long and velvety, with finely integrated tannins providing a plush mouthfeel that carries through to a seamless close. Lingering blackcurrant, dark chocolate, and subtle meaty undertones persist well after the final sip.

How to Drink Wirra Wirra Shiraz

This Shiraz is best appreciated at cellar temperature, around 16–18°C, poured into a large-bowled glass to let the aromatics unfold. Decanting for 30 minutes opens up the deeper lavender and graphite layers. Kalimotxo (Red Wine & Cola): An unconventional but effective pairing where the wine's density and dark fruit hold up against the sweetness. Sangria: The bold plum and berry profile anchors a red sangria without getting lost among citrus and brandy additions. Mulled Wine: The chocolate and spice characteristics integrate naturally with warming spices like cinnamon and star anise.

Best For

• Gifting an Australian wine enthusiast exploring McLaren Vale Shiraz
• Pairing with a weekend barbecue featuring lamb or smoked beef ribs
• Building a cellar collection of old-vine Australian reds
• Hosting a comparative tasting of McLaren Vale versus Barossa Shiraz

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Wirra Wirra Shiraz taste like? It delivers dense blackberry, black plum, and chocolate ganache flavors with a peppery, meaty character and velvety tannins. Crisp acidity provides lift and balance through a full-bodied, plush palate.

How does Wirra Wirra Shiraz compare to d'Arenberg The Dead Arm Shiraz? Both are flagship McLaren Vale Shiraz wines from historic producers, but Wirra Wirra leans toward lavender, graphite, and chocolate nuances from biodynamically farmed old vines with French oak influence. The Dead Arm tends toward more pronounced blackberry, licorice, and black pepper, often showing a denser, more tannic structure from its single-vineyard old-vine sourcing.

Is Wirra Wirra Shiraz good for sipping neat? Absolutely — the wine's layered aromatics, balanced acidity, and silky tannins make it ideal for drinking on its own, particularly after a brief decant to let the secondary aromas develop.

Where is Wirra Wirra Shiraz made? Wirra Wirra Vineyards is located in McLaren Vale, South Australia, a maritime-influenced region roughly 35 kilometers south of Adelaide. The Shiraz fruit comes from estate plantings on sandy soils near the winery and from elevated vineyards in the Blewitt Springs sub-region.

What foods pair well with Wirra Wirra Shiraz? Slow-roasted lamb shoulder benefits from the wine's peppery spice and dark fruit density. Chargrilled beef short ribs complement the smoky, meaty undertones. Aged cheddar mirrors the wine's richness without competing. Dark chocolate desserts echo the mocha and ganache notes. Mushroom risotto aligns with the earthy, savory aromatics on the nose.

What sizes does Wirra Wirra Shiraz come in? Wirra Wirra Shiraz is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Wirra Wirra Shiraz worth the price? Wirra Wirra Shiraz positions as a mid-premium to premium Australian red, depending on the specific expression. The RSW bottling commands a higher tier justified by its 93-point James Suckling scores and old-vine biodynamic sourcing, while expressions like the Catapult offer strong value as an entry into the range.

Why Wirra Wirra Shiraz?

The defining advantage here is fruit from 50-year-old vines farmed biodynamically — a commitment that few McLaren Vale producers of comparable scale match. The RSW expression's consistent scoring from James Suckling (93 points in both 2021 and 2022 vintages) demonstrates vintage-to-vintage reliability rather than one-off success. The winery's dual sourcing strategy — combining sandy-soil estate fruit with elevated Blewitt Springs parcels — creates a complexity that single-site wines in the region do not always achieve. For anyone serious about McLaren Vale Shiraz, Wirra Wirra represents one of the appellation's most dependable and expressive producers.