2023 Kiss Shiraz
Winemaker's Comments
Kiss Shiraz is a cheeky name for a serious wine. It is an individual vineyard Hunter Valley Shiraz, grown on the tough clay/loam soils of the Pokolbin Estate vineyard (planted 1969). These naturally low-cropping vines consistently produce fruit with exceptional depth and concentration. This is the flagship Shiraz for Thomas Wines, expressing the very best qualities of each vintage. The first vintage of Kiss Shiraz was in 2001, and since that time this label has received countless wine show awards and accolades, and has become a modern benchmark for Hunter Valley Shiraz
The 2023 vintage saw a return to warmer and drier conditions, after a couple of slightly cooler wetter seasons. It was hand-picked on the 18th of February, cold-soaked for 24 hours, and then fermented on skins for a further eight days. The wine was then matured for 16 months exclusively in premium French oak (300L) hogsheads, 20% of which were new barrels, the balance being one and two year old oak.
After bottling, the wine will be rested in our climate-controlled cellar for ten months prior to the official release on the 17th of May 2025.
Whilst this wine is certainly enjoyable in its youth, it is destined to be regarded as a classic in years to come.
Trophy - The Great Australian Shiraz Challenge 2024 (Best NSW Shiraz)
Tasting Notes
By our resident Som, Kim Bickley
Vivid deep purple colour. Flamboyantly expressive nose of fresh blue fruits and ripe dark berries surrounded by hints of candied violets, oolong tea, and cracked pepper.
The palate has an immediately luxurious silky texture with ripe fine-grained tannin supporting a core of boysenberry, red cherry and dark plum fruit. It’s in the fuller end of the medium-bodied spectrum with cascades of flavour including ruby chocolate & dutch licorice, yet this is a savoury wine also showing exotic spice, black pepper, chinotto and Chambord liqueur to name a few impressions.
It’s powerfully varietal and yet elegant with a refreshing and long finish.
Drink 2025 – 2035+
Bottled - 12th July 2024
Production - 710 six-packs + 100 Magnums + 12 Double Magnums
Members Only Pre-release Date - 1st November 2024
Public Release Date - 17th May 2025
ABV - 14.3%