95 Point Rated & Top Ranked Wine - Huon Hooke The Real Review

"Deepish red colour with tinges of brick starting; it's youthful for its age, and the bouquet confirms quality aromas of multiple herbs featuring sweet basil and mint, while the palate is deliciously-flavoured, with fruit sweetness and vitality aplenty. Aged complexities are in evidence as is some primary fruit still persisting. It's in very good condition. An excellent wine with many years still ahead of it."

92 Point Rated - James Halliday Wine Companion 

"Re-release. First tasted 9 years ago, and the passage of time has barely changed its colour, bouquet or black fruit flavours; if anything, it has moved from medium-bodied to medium to full-bodied, the tannins keeping pace with its black fruits. 92 points then and now, the one significant change to the original drink to date of '13 - add another 9 years."

Huon Hooke Feature Article On Redesdale Estate Museum Releases - Jan 2020

Heathcote is a leading region for full-bodied reds, especially shiraz, and Redesdale Estate is a brand that deserves to be better known. It was established by Peter and Suzanne Williams in 1982, and judging from the number of vintages they have stock-piled, they didn’t worry too much about sales and marketing. They recently sold the vineyard but kept the wine stocks, and have some marvellous shirazes up to 15 years old on offer. I recently tasted eight vintages of Redesdale (pronounced Reedsdale) Estate Shiraz going back to the 2004, and there are some rippers.

The 2004, 2005 and 2006 were my favourites and are showing superb maturity and drinkability, although they will power on for many years yet. The latest release is 2014; that and the 2013 are still quite young and bold but can also be enjoyed, while the 2010 is in between, showing attractive development but holding plenty in reserve.

The Williams still have the 2015 and 2016 unreleased.

These wines – all harvested from the same small estate vineyard on the bank of the Campaspe River – have a definite character of their own. Following regional style they have concentrated, lush, black fruit flavours which gradually morph into mellow complexities which are earthy and roast-meaty, sometimes with a trace of licorice or ginger, but the bouquets consistently show dried herb notes that recall thyme, sage and oregano. There is also sometimes a hint of mint – but happily, it is not dominant and when present is just one of a basket of balsamic herb characters. These are lovely wines with charm as well as structure, and the ability to age long-term.

They’re also modestly priced, ranging from AUD $35 to $55 when purchased direct.The 4-hectare Redesdale Estate vineyard is on rocky volcanic soil where the vines are naturally low in vigour and yield. Winemaking is done externally – by Tobias Ansted of Balgownie and Tellurian up to 2012 and by Alan and Joshua Cooper at Cobaw Ridge from 2013 onwards.