Lepus Shiraz

'The Lepus' constellation sits just South of the celestial equator, the figure of a Hare bounding ahead of Orian and his hounds. 

A symbol of our aspirations to create the very best Shiraz from fruit grown on our estate in Marananga.  

Colour: An impenetrable deep garnet with a crimson hue.
Aroma: Layered black and savoury fruit characters of black cherry, dark plum, blackberry, black olive and charcuterie with whole black pepper and five-spice.
Palate: Dark and brooding, rich and full, these black and savoury fruit characters cascade lithely across the palate with warmth, generosity and finesse.

ACCOLADES AND AWARDS

Wine Advocate – Erin Larkin
95pts
The fruit for the 2020 Lepus Shiraz is sourced from a single block on the northern edge of the Hare's Chase vineyard, matured in new and seasoned French oak for 24 months. The palate here is sensational, really pure fruited, vital and energetic, a little with crushed pink peppercorns and spice through the finish. The oak does in no way intrude. This is a brilliant wine. Published Sept 2023

Wine Pilot – Ken Gargett
95pts
This is the prestige Shiraz from the team’s top vineyards in the Barossa...

This is a very dark maroon hue. Still coming together, but this has endless promise. The nose reveals notes of black fruits, warm earth, truffles, chocolate, soy and aniseed. The wine is rich and intense, seamless with silky tannins. Quintessential Barossa Shiraz. A fine line of acidity runs the length of the journey, while those chocolate notes just persist and persist. Enjoy it over the next eight to fifteen years. As with past vintages, all signs point to blockbuster territory but the wine deceives, maintaining a degree of elegance. If the score is not quite at the lofty levels of past releases, it merely reflects that this is a vintage which requires a little more snoozing in the cellar. With time, it should climb.  Published April 2024

Wine Companion – Dave Brookes
94pts
The flagship wine from Hare's Chase. A deep, impenetrable crimson in the glass with aromas of pure cassis, kirsch and dark plum fruits underscored by hints of baking spices, licorice, espresso, dark chocolate and earth. Thick and powerful with a deep black fruit presence, a sense of broodiness and chocolate bullet/spicy depth. Long, structured and thick shouldered with an inky, solid shape to the fruit on the exit.

Published May2023

Wine Pilots – Jeni Port
94pts
Black as night and almost as impenetrable.
Turned up to 11 in boldness in woodsy, toasty oak, liquorice, chocolate bullet confection, plum and blackberry, Christmas cake and supported by a big, wide world of spice.
Chunky, savoury tannins work hard to provide the structure and control required and, for the most part, do a good job although there is a touch of alcohol heat to close.
Still, a wine this big is a natural match for a big steak or protein hit. Then the wine will come into its own. Published Jan 2024

The Wine Front – Campbell Mattinson
92pts
Single vineyard Barossa shiraz from Marananga.

This is a deep, inky shiraz with kirsch, coffee, earth and licorice flavours purring through a strong-but-seamless palate. It’s big and powerful but it’s not unkempt, and it’s also not too sweet. It attacks with flavour but then gradually hones towards a toasty, earthen, herb-flecked finish. Indeed the tannin and finish has a pebble-like aspect; it’s stoney and lightly grained. Ripeness has blown some of the highlights away but alcohol is well managed and everything feels harmonious. Published Jan 2024

• "SAKURA" Japan Women's Wine Awards 2024 – GOLD
• Mundus Vini Spring Tasting 2023 - GOLD
• Decanter World Wine Awards 2023 – SILVER