Mr Mick Clare Valley Shiraz 2021 captures everything that makes Clare Valley Shiraz so admired: generosity of fruit, natural spice, and a graceful structure that balances power with elegance. Named in honour of the great K.H. “Mick” Knappstein, one of the Top Ten Iconic Australian Winemakers, this family-owned winery continues his legacy with a wine that reflects both place and tradition.

The 2021 vintage was a standout season across the Clare Valley, offering a long and steady ripening period that delivered remarkable fruit intensity and concentration, resulting in a Shiraz that is immediately expressive yet structured for long-term enjoyment. Premium parcels from the central and northern Clare Valley were fermented on skins under a gentle extraction regime, followed by 24 months’ maturation in predominantly American oak, giving the wine its smooth line of vanillin, spice, and creamy texture.

In the glass, it opens with lifted fresh red and black fruits, violet florals, and a subtle frame of creamy vanilla oak. The palate is rounded and medium-bodied with dark cherry and ripe raspberry, supported by smooth structural tannins that carry length and complexity into the finish. A subtle touch of stem spice, cocoa, and warm toasted oak adds harmony without overshadowing the purity of fruit.

True to the style that has made Clare Valley Shiraz a favourite with collectors and sommeliers alike, this release offers both immediate drinkability and ten-year ageing potential, making it ideal for cellaring or serving now with the right dish. Its balance of richness and structure shines beautifully alongside pepper-crusted lamb cutlets, slow-braised beef cheek, wood-fired pizza with smoky sausage, or a rich mushroom risotto topped with shaved pecorino.

Crafted with respect to both vineyard and history, Mr Mick Shiraz is a testament to the Clare Valley’s ability to deliver wines with power and elegant synergism, and a fitting tribute to one of Australia’s most influential winemaking figures.