WIRRA WIRRA CHURCH BLOCK CABERNET SAUVIGNON / SHIRAZ / MERLOT 2021

Winery notes (2021 Vintage)
"Church Block was the first wine the late Greg Trott produced under the Wirra Wirra label back in 1972. He took the name from one of the original vineyards, which runs next to the small Bethany Church (est. 1854) across the road from Wirra Wirra’s century old ironstone cellars. Over five decades, the Church Block label has become an Australian favourite.

Sweet and fragrant red currants, dark cherries and blackberries sit comfortably with aromas of dark chocolate, cinnamon and nutmeg. Rosemary and autumn leaf characters bring a savoury element, as do barrel influences of vanilla pod, cedar, and toasted oak. Blood plums, cranberry and liquorice combine with polished tannins to give a supple, even mouthfeel with a fine-grained finish. A vibrant line runs the length of the palate, balanced by richer elements as of roasted meats, burnt butter and sage. This classic example of the blend achieves harmony and easy approachability.

Combination of French (70%) and American oak (30%) barriques and hogsheads of which 10% is new."

100 Best Australian Wines 2023/24, Matthew Jukes, September 2023 (2021 Vintage)
"Hello, old friend, or should that be, hello new vintage, because this 2021 has yet to be launched in the UK, and my Report launch on 26th September is likely to be its first outing. A perennial favourite, this 50% Cabernet, 41% Shiraz, and 9% Merlot blend appears to have become less crowd-pleasing and more introspective, and this can only be a positive move for this wine as it converts new and enthusiastic followers to the Church. Dry, active, classically shaped, Mediterranean-leaning, refined, and calm, this wine is sometimes discounted to £10, which makes it one of the most important, skilfully blended, heritage soaked red wines on earth. I cannot wait to gauge peoples’ reactions to this toned and revitalised red wine. I have a feeling that the most stuck-in-the-mud Europhiles might weaken when presented with 2021 Church Block!"

5 Stars & 94/100 Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, July 2023 (2021 Vintage)
"Richly fruited and instantly appealing, the wine shows Black Doris plum, floral, mixed spice and assorted nut aromas with a lovely touch of cocoa on the nose, followed by a generously expressed palate offering succulent fruit flavours with plump mouthfeel and silky tannins. Upfront and flavoursome, offering splendid drinking. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz & Merlot. At its best: now to 2033."

Rated Excellent & 93/100 Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front, July 2023 (2021 Vintage)
"Ripe and concentrated bouquet of blackberry and black currant, there are moments of red currant and black spices, chocolate and peppery baking spice moments. Further aromas then flavours include sweet tobacco and plums, red metals and layers of wood spice. Firm and dry as the wine touches the palate, flavours of red fruits and spices mirror the bouquet. Firm tannins reflect the multiple varieties in the blend as well as the use of French oak, all in keeping with the style and concentration. Well made, and frankly delicious. A wine for myriad high protein based dishes. Best drinking from 2024 through 2030."

93/100 Huon Hooke, The Real Review, January 2023 (2021 Vintage)
"Deep red-purple colour; bright cassis/mulberry and blueberry aromas, fruit leading the charge. It's full bodied and deeply flavoured, and the tannins while abundant are fleshy and supple, coating the mouth pleasantly with a sensation that gives a sense of gravitas way above its station. An excellent cabernet, and not for the first time, astonishing value for money."

92/100 Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front, December 2022 (2021 Vintage)
"The quality of this wine is remarkably consistent and again here we’re in keen buying territory. Indeed if you’re looking for a good solid red, served straight down the line, then this 2021 Church Block is a no-brainer. Currants and leaves, choc and mint flavours are served in pure, clean, generous style. Balance is a feature. There’s a smidgen of creamy, cedar-like, resiny oak and it fits in well with the overall profile of the fruit. Lovely wine here, no problems, it’s Wirra Wirra in good form."

90/100 Ned Goodwin MW, JamesSuckling.com, May 2023 (2021 Vintage)
"A canny blend of 50% cabernet sauvignon, 41% shiraz and 9% merlot. Stellar value and the sum is far greater than its parts. Cabernet blares its herbal, potpourri scents loud and clear, whilst shiraz imparts plumpness and merlot serves as the jam in the doughnut. Yet the tone is one of savoriness over sweet fruit; levity over boring power. The tannins are a little acerbic and the acidity is slightly shrill. But this is really picking fault from plenty of pleasure."