Mitchell Peppertree Vineyard Shiraz 2018

In 1975 Andrew and Jane Mitchell took over the family farm in the Clare Valley and established Mitchell Wines. They are one of the stalwarts of the Clare Valley and are renowned for the production of long-lived rieslings. Over the years the Mitchells have established or acquired 80ha of vineyards on 4 excellent sites. Some of the vines are over 60 years old and are all managed organically. 

"As it always is, this is a popular release, offering value and flavour. Deep magenta in colour, the nose offers notes of cloves, leather, spices, black fruits, dry herbs and a hint of dark chocolate. Real depth of flavour here, this is a fine Clare Shiraz. Good concentration, poised balance and excellent length, there are very fine tannins with more chocolate notes emerging. This has a good decade ahead of it, but lots to enjoy over that time."  Ken Garget

"Another classic Peppertree Shiraz. A wine of power and elegance with aromas of plum and dark chocolate. Beautifully balanced primary fruit, acid and tannins, leading to a smooth dry finish.

2018 growing season was warm and dry. Despite this, the vines were in a perfectly balanced and healthy state heading into vintage. Canopies were strong and full, and the fruit set and ripening was consistent with fantastic flavours. Clare Valley at its best.

Our Peppertree Vineyard Shiraz is hand-picked, de-stemmed with a component of whole bunch and goes through a wild fermentation in open slate fermenters. The Shiraz is estate bottled after 18 months in French oak puncheons."  Mitchell

Expert reviews

"A mellow red in a great maturity zone. Evocative pepper and green olive scents amongst plum, dark chocolate and truffle. The palate is moody and dark fruited, again we see pepper, again the green olive, there's some fig and ground hazelnut characters emerging, too. Tannins weave through the wine with grace and a light, silty texture. It feels 'fine wine' zone, poised in its distance between youth and maturity. Very enjoyable now. Drink by 2030."  Mike Bennie, Halliday Wine Companion - 93 points and Special Value Wine  ★ 

"A wine highly sought after for the lovers of Clare Valley Shiraz, it stands apart from the rest with an intoxicating perfume of black berries and unfettered charm. A touch of whole bunch and open fermentation, this is a lively and expressive example of fine Clare Valley Shiraz fruit. Fresh bay leaf, tarragon and nettle sits behind blackcurrant, mulberry and licorice. Maturation in 18 months of French oak adds the clove, cinnamon and black peppercorn spice. There is a gentleness to the weight and a glide of soft tannins to finish. Drinking very well now and will age another 2 years. Serve with lamb souvlaki."  Shanteh Wale, Wine Pilot – 93 points

"As it always is, this is a popular release, offering value and flavour. From a fine vintage, and given the benefit of several years ageing before release, the fruit from the vineyard is largely destemmed, but there is a component of whole bunches. Natural fermentation in open slate fermenters, the wine then spends 18 months in French oak puncheons. Deep magenta in colour, the nose offers notes of cloves, leather, spices, black fruits, dry herbs and a hint of dark chocolate. Real depth of flavour here, this is a fine Clare Shiraz. Good concentration, poised balance and excellent length, there are very fine tannins with more chocolate notes emerging. This has a good decade ahead of it, but lots to enjoy over that time. Drink by: 2023-2033."  Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot – 93 points

"It’s a delight to see an aged Aussie Shiraz hit the market at such an affordable price and the Peppertree Vineyard Shiraz comes with a strong track record. It has been a mainstay of the Mitchell brand for years and is well known to many, that said, the 2018 appears finer and more elegant than some previous releases. The benefits of bottle age are there to be enjoyed from the integration of fruit and toasty oak through to the seamless line of fine tannin that continues to hold strong, providing length and endurance. Ripe plum fruits, black berries with a sprinkling of lovely spice notes are deep, inviting and still so fresh. Peppertree captures Clare Valley Shiraz as the attractive, approachable, medium-bodied, spiced up, black fruited, warm-hearted wine that we know and enjoy. It has to also be noted that age has been more than kind, and it’s set to enjoy many more birthdays. Drink by: 2023-2030."  Jeni Port, Wine Pilot – 92 points

"Good on Mitchell for releasing a five year old Shiraz at a modest price. Well, there’s no mistaking it’s from the Clare Valley. Blackberry, mint, truffle, some spicy cedar oak. It’s medium to full-bodied, minty black fruit with plenty of grainy chocolaty tannin, a little blood orange in the mix, coffee bean and a rich silty tannin finish of good length. Nice wine all up. You can certainly sink your teeth into it. Drink: 2023 - 2028+."  Gary Walsh, The Wine Front - 90 points

Awards

Special Value Wine – Halliday Wine Companion  ★

About the winery

"In 1975 Andrew and Jane Mitchell took over the family farm in the Clare Valley and established Mitchell Wines. One of the stalwarts of the Clare Valley, they produce long-lived rieslings and cabernet sauvignons in classic regional style. The range now includes very creditable semillon, grenache and shiraz. A lovely old stone apple shed is the cellar door and upper section of the upgraded winery. Children Angus and Edwina are now working in the business, heralding generational changes. Over the years the Mitchells have established or acquired 80ha of vineyards on 4 excellent sites, some vines over 60 years old; all are managed organically, with biodynamic composts used for over a decade."  James Halliday