The Mr Mick Clare Valley Shiraz 2022 captures everything that has made Clare Valley Shiraz so enduringly admired — generosity of fruit, natural spice and a graceful structure that balances power with elegance. Named in honour of the great K.H. “Mr Mick” Knappstein, one of Australia’s Top Ten Iconic Winemakers, this release continues the legacy of a family-owned winery deeply connected to place, tradition and drinkability.

The 2022 vintage was a standout across the Clare Valley, delivering a long, even ripening period that allowed Shiraz parcels to develop exceptional flavour concentration and balance. Premium fruit sourced from the central and northern Clare Valley was fermented on skins under a gentle extraction regime to preserve freshness and varietal character, before spending 24 months maturing predominantly in American oak. This extended maturation has shaped the wine’s signature creamy texture and subtle layers of vanillin, spice and warmth without overwhelming the fruit.

In the glass, the wine opens with lifted aromas of fresh red and black fruits, dark cherry and ripe raspberry, framed by delicate violet florals and a soft wash of creamy vanilla oak. The palate is medium-bodied yet generous, flowing with dark cherry and ripe berry flavours supported by smooth, well-integrated tannins that carry length and quiet complexity through the finish. Subtle notes of cocoa, stem spice and warm toasted oak add harmony and depth, enhancing rather than overshadowing the purity of fruit.

True to the classic Clare Valley Shiraz style, this wine offers immediate approachability while retaining the structure to age confidently for up to a decade. It shines alongside pepper-crusted lamb cutlets, slow-braised beef cheeks, wood-fired pizza topped with smoky sausage, or a rich mushroom risotto finished with shaved pecorino, where its balance of fruit, spice and texture comes beautifully into focus.