Wild Duck Creek Yellow Hammer Hill Shiraz Malbec 2023 750ml

“Big, generous Heathcote red with blackberry, plum, mulberry, spice and plush savoury tannins.”

Wild Duck Creek Yellow Hammer Hill 2023 is exactly the sort of Heathcote red you open when subtlety is not particularly high on the agenda.

Shiraz does most of the heavy lifting, bringing blackberry, plum and dark fruit, while Malbec adds mulberry, spice and a slightly herbal edge. A small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon is also included in the current blend, giving the wine extra structure and shape. It is rich and full bodied, but importantly, everything stays nicely balanced.

This wine gives you a proper introduction to the Wild Duck Creek style without heading into the price territory of the estate’s more serious releases. There is plenty of Heathcote richness here, but also freshness, savoury detail and fine tannins. Mike Bennie at The Wine Front rated the 2023 vintage 93 points.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Blackberry, mulberry, dark plum, blueberry, earth and warm spice.

Palate: Full bodied and generous with dark fruit, plum, mocha and savoury spice, supported by fine rounded tannins.

Finish: Long and warming with lingering blackberry, cocoa, spice and a gentle herbal edge.

About The Winery

Wild Duck Creek Estate is a family owned winery in Heathcote, Victoria, with a reputation built around powerful, character filled reds and an unmistakably individual style. The estate works with vineyards across Heathcote, drawing on the region’s warm days, cool nights and distinctive Cambrian soils to produce wines with concentration, depth and plenty of personality.

Yellow Hammer Hill began life as a Shiraz and Malbec blend before Cabernet Sauvignon was added to bring a little more texture and structure. The result is one of the most approachable wines in the Wild Duck Creek range, although “approachable” here still means plenty of fruit, plenty of flavour and absolutely no danger of mistaking it for a delicate little red.

Cellaring Potential

Wild Duck Creek Yellow Hammer Hill 2023 is already generous and open, but there is enough fruit, tannin and structure to reward further cellaring. The Wine Front gives the 2023 a drinking window of 2025 to 2031.

Collector’s Note

The 2023 Yellow Hammer Hill received 93 points from Mike Bennie at The Wine Front, who highlighted its richness, spice, balance and generous character. For anyone wanting to explore Wild Duck Creek without jumping straight into the estate’s rarer releases, this is a very good place to start.

Details

Producer: Wild Duck Creek Estate
Vintage: 2023
Variety: Shiraz, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Heathcote, Victoria
Bottle Size: 750ml
Wine Style: Rich Heathcote Red Blend
Wine Sweetness: Dry
Wine Body: Full bodied
ABV: 14.7%
Closure: Screwcap
Review: 93 Points, Mike Bennie, The Wine Front
Drinking Window: 2025 to 2031