Wilkie Wines 'Midnight Dilemma' Shiraz

Wilkie Wines ‘Midnight Dilemma’ Shiraz 2023 from Heathcote in Victoria is a beautifully handled, minimal-intervention Shiraz with a soft, elegant and velvety feel. It is the kind of wine that leans into texture and brightness rather than brute force, which gives it real charm.

Expect stewed plum, blackcurrant and black pepper, with white pepper from whole-bunch fermentation and a fresh line of acid keeping everything moving. The 2023 release was bottled unfiltered and unfined after 10 months in neutral French oak, which helps explain its polished, lifted and quietly complex style.

It is a smart match for roast lamb, Chinese pork and black bean stew, Turkish kebabs or grilled sausages, where the wine’s savoury spice and acidity can shine. This is a thoughtful, modern Heathcote Shiraz with enough depth for serious drinkers and enough freshness to stay dangerously easy to enjoy.