Seppelt Chalambar Shiraz 2004

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 powerful, deeply fruited shiraz of weight, density, length and structure. Its deeply aromatic and peppery scents of black fruits, violets, dried herbs, dark chocolate, cedar/vanilla oak, musk and mint precede a substantial palate of poise and restrained power. There's massive depth of fruit sweetness, a deep core of dark, spicy flavour and a long, fine-grained and savoury finish. Framed by silky-fine but astringent and drying tannins, it exudes strength and style."  Jeremy Oliver

Expert reviews

"A powerful, deeply fruited shiraz of weight, density, length and structure. Its deeply aromatic and peppery scents of black fruits, violets, dried herbs, dark chocolate, cedar/vanilla oak, musk and mint precede a substantial palate of poise and restrained power. There's massive depth of fruit sweetness, a deep core of dark, spicy flavour and a long, fine-grained and savoury finish. Framed by silky-fine but astringent and drying tannins, it exudes strength and style. Drink 2016-2024+."  Jeremy Oliver – 96 points

"Re-vamped, re-worked, renewed...take your pick, they all apply to the Chalambar Shiraz over the past 2-3 releases. You might have to add in, "re-positioned" too, because the price has been raised, but that only serves to place it in a price range that more accurately represents the quality of what is in the bottle.

It needs to be remembered that this wine can be bought for around $20 at the moment, which is astounding for a wine exhibiting this much style and class. This is finely balanced and stylish, full flavoured but creating the impression that it is only medium bodied through its drying, savoury tannin structure and tight, dark cherry like fruit. There is much to admire here, a dissection of its myriad components seems a touch clinical, so lets just celebrate that a wine of real complexity and class can be bought for such a giveaway price. Drink: 2009-2015."  Grant Dodd, The Wining Pro – 93 points

"A bigger Chalambar than usual, this responds to aeration and is a marvellous, food-friendly red, laced with aniseed and other spices, finishing with lashings of tannins, which are remarkably supple and balanced. Cellar: 1-15+years."  Australian Gourmet Traveller Wine - 93 points  ★★★★★

"The 2004 St Peters Grampians shiraz is one of the greatest Great Western shirazes of recent times: a fabulous spicy Rhone-ish style with less obvious oak than some recent vintages. The '04 Chalambar shiraz is a slightly lighter, more accessible version of the style, packed with lovely smoky cherry and spice flavours. A steal at $25."  Huon Hooke, The Age Good Weekend

"Again from the Grampians and Bendigo regions. Deep crimson purple red. Tight and restrained. Quite elegant. Intense blackberry, mulberry and rich plum aromas. Earthy and distinctive spicy fruit. Vibrant and fresh. Fine grainy tannins ensue, the oak is integrated well with the fruit. Medium to long length. Lingers long. Quite an elegant wine. Try with five plus years and with roast beef."  Paul Ippolito, www.webwombat.com.au

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.