Dalwhinnie The Eagle Shiraz 2018 750ml

“Flagship Pyrenees Shiraz with blackberry, plum, savoury spice and serious cellaring potential.”

Dalwhinnie The Eagle Shiraz 2018 is the flagship red from one of the Pyrenees region’s most recognised producers, and this is a bottle with both power and polish.

Blackberry, dark plum and cassis lead the way, with Mediterranean spice, dried herbs, cedar and a savoury mineral edge underneath. The palate is concentrated without feeling heavy, with fine tannins giving the wine shape and a long, composed finish. The 2018 sits at 13.5% ABV, which helps keep all that intensity remarkably balanced.

This is the sort of Shiraz to buy when you want something genuinely special. It is impressive now with some air, but the real appeal is how comfortably it should continue to develop in the cellar.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Blackberry, mulberry and dark plum with savoury herbs, spice, cedar and a touch of forest floor.

Palate: Concentrated dark fruit with cassis, blackberry and plum, supported by fine tannins and a savoury mineral backbone.

Finish: Long and structured with lingering dark fruit, spice, cedar and earthy complexity.

Halliday Wine Companion - 95 Points 

Sourced from the original Eagle block below the winery. 25% whole bunches, 10 days on skins, pressed to new and 1yo French oak and 20 months' maturation. Best barrels selected. Dalwhinnie was bought by Fogarty Wine Group mid '20 and winemaker Julian Langworthy is noted as winemaker. The flagship red is a picture of elegance, with underlying strength and precision. Vibrant, dense plum red. Mediterranean spices, dates, blackberries and warm, toasty oak. Lush texture, with supple tannins make it imminently drinkable, but don't be tempted, the best is yet to come. Jeni Port 

Serving Suggestions

A natural match with slow cooked lamb shoulder, roast beef, grilled steak and rich beef dishes.

It also works beautifully with venison, mushrooms and mature hard cheeses, where the wine’s dark fruit and savoury structure really come into their own. Dalwhinnie specifically recommends slow cooked lamb shoulder with herbs and roast pumpkin.

About The Winery

Dalwhinnie is based in Victoria’s Pyrenees region, where its high elevation vineyard has become particularly well known for premium Shiraz.

The Eagle is only produced in exceptional vintages and comes from the original Eagle Block planted in 1977, directly below the winery. That combination of mature vines, cool climate conditions and careful selection has helped make The Eagle one of Dalwhinnie’s benchmark wines.

This is very much the top shelf end of Australian Shiraz. Plenty of depth and pedigree, but without the need to turn the volume all the way up.

Cellaring Potential

This is absolutely a cellar worthy Shiraz.

The structure, fruit concentration and balance suggest a long future ahead, with the 2018 expected to develop more savoury, earthy and tertiary complexity with age. Independent listings suggest cellaring through to around 2036.

Collector’s Note

The 2018 The Eagle Shiraz has received 96 points from Erin Larkin for Robert Parker Wine Advocate, 96 points and Gold at the 2021 Decanter World Wine Awards, and 95 points from Jeni Port for Halliday Wine Companion.

That combination of strong critic support, flagship status and genuine long term cellaring potential makes this a particularly compelling bottle for collectors.

Details

Producer: Dalwhinnie
Vintage: 2018
Variety: Shiraz
Region: Pyrenees, Victoria
Country: Australia
Bottle Size: 750ml
Wine Style: Premium Cool Climate Shiraz
Wine Sweetness: Dry
Wine Body: Full Bodied
ABV: 13.5%
Closure: Screw Cap