YALUMBA PARADOX SHIRAZ 2023

Over the past few years this has been one of our top selling $25.00+ Shiraz, seeming to suit the Kiwi palate. It’s not the high octane, lots of new oak stereotypical northern Barossa Shiraz, but rather a softer, more gentle velvet-like and savoury style of wine. It is a great combination between the sweet plummy Barossan Shiraz fruit and the brooding savoury, meaty flavours. Plush and warming on the palate. This is seriously sexy!

Winery notes (2023 Vintage)
"The Paradox is not what you might expect from a wine from the northern Barossa. It’s not the high octane, lots of new oak stereotypical northern Barossa Shiraz, but rather a softer, more gentle velvet-like and savoury style of wine.

Vibrant crimson in colour. Richly layered aromas of cherry, blueberry and Black Forest cake. Subtle hints of vanilla and roasted coffee beans add complexity, while intriguing notes of olive paste and blue florals introduce a savoury dimension. A gentle thread of spice beautifully ties these elements together. The palate is silky and mouth coating with fine, supple tannins and refreshing acidity. Bright, black fruits dominate, complemented by rhubarb, cranberry, a touch of liquorice and a savoury note of olive tapenade lingering beneath the fruit, culminating in a long, refined finish. Matured for 14 months in French oak puncheons 16% new, balance 1 year and older."

Rated Excellent & 93/100 Cameron Douglas MS, March 2026 (2023 Vintage)
"Dark purple core, almost opaque and with a ruby rim leads to a core palate of violets and dark plums, black raspberry and boysenberry flavours, layers of fruit spice and a gentle wood sweetness. Dry with an abundance of fine to moderate tannins and acidity delivering a finesse as well as mouthfeel and length. Persistent flavours of dark red berries alongside earthy and wood flavours. Best drinking from day of purchase through 2030."

Reviews for the 2022 vintage below…

5 Stars & 94/100 Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, July 2025 (2022 Vintage)
"Wonderfully composed and expressed, the wine exhibits intense black and purple fruit notes, as well as rich floral, baking spice, and cedar characters on the nose. The palate offers terrific weight and richly textured mouthfeel, wonderfully framed by layers of polished tannins, finishing persistent and delectable. At its best: now to 2036."

5 Stars & 18.5+/20 (94) Candice Chow, Raymond Chan Reviews, July 2025 (2022 Vintage)
"Deep ruby-red with a dark purple hue, even colour throughout. The nose is full, packed with aromas of blackberry, dark plum, violet, dark chocolate and an amalgam of spice. Full-bodied, aromas of black plum and blackberry have a savoury edge, entwined with violet, cocoa nibs, anise and clove. The fruit is rich yet bright, with ripe acidity. Integrated velvety tannins and layering spices provide complexity and structure, lending a long, moreish finish. Match with braised beef short ribs over the next 15+ years. Fermented to 14% alc, aged for 17 months in French oak puncheons 8% new, balance 1 year and older."