Seppelt Chalambar Shiraz 2003

Seppelt Chalambar Shiraz has been crafted by Seppelt since 1952 and is sourced from a selection of Victoria's finest Shiraz growing districts. The first vintages were made by Australian Winemaking legend Colin Preece. Chalambar Shiraz is named after the picturesque Mount Chalambar located near Great Western in Central Victoria. This wine highlights the success of multi-regional blending and epitomizes Seppelt's long history and expertise with old Victorian vineyards. 

"A fantastic young Chalambar – this is going to do some serious wooing. Incredibly layered and flavoursome: soy, smoke, cracked pepper, meat, mulberry, dry licorice, wafts of floral fragrance – it's all going on here, within a context of balance, power and good manners. A ripping wine, and a step up even from the excellent 2002."  Campbell Mattinson

"Matured for 18 months in 40% new French and 60% one-, two- and three-year-old French and American Oak. Dark crimson with purple hues. The nose is lifted and layered with underlying mulberry fruit aromas combining with lifted notes of spice and cracked pepper and floral fragrances. The palate is finely poised and well balanced with a depth of vibrant fruit and an inky intensity. Fine-grained tannins and savoury oak characters frame a core of blueberry fruit, spice and licorice flavours. An excellent Chalambar Shiraz displaying the hallmark balance of power and elegance."  Arthur O'Connor, Winemaker

Expert reviews

"If you missed out on the 2002 edition of this wine, do not make the same mistake twice. A blend that marries the power of Bendigo shiraz with the elegance and tightness typical of Great Western, it is a classic old-fashioned Australian burgundy of a fuller style, with some of the complexity and attitude of modern times. Deeply spiced, its musky perfume of cassis, dark cherries, plums and blackberries is backed by fragrant, hazelnut-like oak, with undertones of reductive and meaty complexity, menthol and a hint of mint. Firm and fine-grained, but soft and seductive, its deeply ripened expression of vibrant dark fruit its framed by a fine-grained extract of powdery tannins, finishing long and persistent. Drink 2015-2023+."  Jeremy Oliver – 96 points

"A fantastic young Chalambar – this is going to do some serious wooing. Incredibly layered and flavoursome: soy, smoke, cracked pepper, meat, mulberry, dry licorice, wafts of floral fragrance – it's all going on here, within a context of balance, power and good manners. A ripping wine, and a step up even from the excellent 2002. Drink: Now-2016."  Campbell Mattinson, Winefront Monthly – 95 points

"A worthy successor to the excellent '02 and a credible alternative to the larger, sweeter, oakier and more alcoholic S.A. styles. Plenty of ripe berry fruit with strong hints of pepper and spice, well balanced and neatly structured, a dry red of huge potential at a bargain price. Amazing value for money, one of our best reds under $25 and has potential to mellow out superbly over the next decade."  Paddy Kendler  ★★★★★ 

"Abundant, lush, plum, blackberry, licorice and spice; round and mouthfilling, but not at all overripe; fine tannins, good balance. Screwcap. Drink by 2018."  James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion - 94 points 

About the winery

Seppelt is one of Australia's most historic wine producers. Few Australian wineries have carved such a distinguished name for both still and sparkling wines. Not only is Seppelt a pioneer of white and red sparkling wine in Australia, but it also crafts some of the country's most collected table wines and has helped pave the way for cool climate styles in Australia.

Seppelt wines capture a diversity of Victorian terroirs. It sources fruit from vineyards situated in the cool Grampians, the Henty Hinterland, Heathcote and Bendigo. Each region offers parcels of unique character and distinctive regional typicity. The backbone of Seppelt's portfolio are the three iconic wines; St Peters Shiraz, Drumborg Riesling and the Show Sparkling Limited Release Shiraz, which is made only in exceptional years. 

The Seppelt Great Western winery traces its history back to 1865 when it was founded by Joseph Best – his brother also notably planted nearby. The vine material was sourced from St Peters Vineyard, which was the region's first vineyard planted just two years earlier in 1863. Best commissioned gold miners to dig the underground tunnels or drives that the winery is famous for. Those drives were expanded by Hans Irvine who purchased the estate after Best's sudden death in 1887 at the age of 57.

Irvine also expanded plantings and employed the ex-winemaker from Pommery, Charles Pierlot. At that time, some sparkling wine was being made locally, but it was Irvine's commitment that established the strong tradition in the region. That included what is often credited as the first Sparkling Burgundy, as it used to be called, made from red grapes, while sparkling whites were made from ondenc (once a common Bordeaux grape but now mainly grown in Gaillac), which has naturally high acidity.

By the early 1900s, there were over 1.6 kilometres of drives for cellaring and Great Western was Australia's largest wine producer. The operation was sold to Benno Seppelt in 1918, who added the family name and expanded the business further.

Fast forward to today and the winery is part of the Treasury Wine Estates portfolio, but the traditions are still very much alive. Winemaker Clare Dry, who spent 13 years crafting wines in South Australia, took over from Adam Carnaby from the 2021 vintage.