MAXWELL MINOTAUR RESERVE SHIRAZ 2023

Maxwell’s Minotaur Reserve Shiraz is one of McLaren Vale’s modern classics — a flagship wine that’s built with serious intent and made for the long haul. The name comes from the estate’s famous conifer maze (inspired by Greek mythology), a fitting symbol for a wine that’s all power, depth and quiet detail.

The 2023 vintage was a demanding season in the vineyard, followed by a long, mild finish that allowed the fruit to ripen slowly and evenly. The result is a Reserve Shiraz with richness and concentration, but also freshness and balance — the sort of year that rewards patience and careful winemaking.

This is a dense, polished, cellar-worthy Shiraz — dark-fruited and deeply layered, with notes of bramble and plum, plus the savoury, luxurious edges you want in a top-tier red: dark chocolate, espresso and liquorice, framed by spice and expertly handled oak.

What really sets Minotaur apart is the way it’s built: it spends 24 months in seasoned French oak hogsheads, giving the wine depth and structure without over-oaking the fruit. It’s already impressive now with air, but this is absolutely a bottle to buy with the future in mind — Maxwell suggest it will cellar confidently for 15+ years.

If you’re opening it young, give it a proper decant and pair it with something worthy: beef short rib is the producer’s match, and it makes a lot of sense.

Drink now (decant), or cellar for 15+ years.

McLaren Vale, South Australia | Shiraz | 14.5% ABV