Lenton Brae In Good Hands Shiraz Malbec 2025

Awards and Accolades

Top Gold Medal-Winning Wine – 2026 VI Packaging Wine Show of Western Australia

Lenton Brae In Good Hands Syrah Malbec 2025 was the only Gold Medal winner in Class 29, a diverse category for blended red varieties outside the Cabernet-dominant and Grenache-dominant classes. Thirteen wines were entered in the class, with the judges noting that the strongest blends were balanced, delicious and thoughtfully composed.

To emerge as the sole Gold Medal winner is a significant result, particularly in a state wine show assessing wines from across Western Australia.

94 Points: Ray Jordan

Scrumptious. Absolutely scrumptious. That’s what I’ve got to say about this beautiful blend of shiraz and malbec from Frankland River. It seems everything has been designed to preserve the abundant natural fruit characters of these varieties from Frankland River. So it’s bursting with plums, red berry, and even a little dark chocolate. It’s had a mix of new and older French oak, and yet it is the fruit that really dominates throughout. It’s plush and plump but with good fine tannins giving it control and refinement. A joyous expression of this combination.

Tasting Notes

• Appearance: Deep red with youthful purple hues.
• Aromatics: Plum skin, raspberries and blueberries are layered with cardamom, clove, vanilla and a touch of Christmas cake spice.
• Palate: Warm, rich and inviting, with juicy plum, red berry and blue fruit flavours running through the entire palate.
• Savoury character: Syrah brings spice and refinement, while subtle dark chocolate and supportive oak add depth.
• Texture: Plush and rounded through the middle, with Malbec contributing generosity and flesh.
• Structure: Fine dusty tannins and natural acidity hold the fruit in check and give the wine impressive balance.
• Finish: Long and generous, with lingering plum, blueberry, spice, chocolate and gently toasty French oak.

Wine Details

• Vintage: 2025
• Blend: Shiraz and Malbec
• Labelled by the winery as: Syrah Malbec
• Region: Frankland River, Great Southern, Western Australia
• Vineyard: Single block in northern Frankland River
• Vine age: More than 20 years
• Soil: Ironstone gravel over clay
• Row orientation: North to south
• Fermentation: Open-topped static fermenter
• Time on skins: 10 days
• Oak: French oak barriques and puncheons
• Oak maturation: 16 months
• Alcohol: 14.5%
• Cellaring: Drink now or cellar for at least five years
• Serving temperature: Approximately 16 to 18°C

Is Syrah the Same as Shiraz?

Yes. Syrah and Shiraz are two names for exactly the same grape variety.

Syrah is the traditional French name, most famously associated with the northern Rhône. Shiraz is the name that became widely used in Australia.

Australian wineries sometimes choose “Syrah” rather than “Shiraz” to indicate the style they are making. It generally suggests a wine that places greater emphasis on perfume, red and blue fruits, spice, savoury complexity and fine structure rather than sheer weight or sweetness.

For customers more familiar with Australian terminology, this can confidently be thought of as a Shiraz Malbec. The Syrah name simply helps describe its fresher, more refined stylistic direction.

What Shiraz Brings to the Blend

Shiraz forms the aromatic and structural foundation of the wine.

In this more traditional Syrah-inspired style, it contributes plum, red berries, spice, cardamom and clove, along with fine tannins and a savoury character.

Rather than producing an especially heavy or jammy red, the aim is to retain the grape’s natural perfume and freshness. This gives the finished wine energy and definition while still providing plenty of flavour.

What Malbec Brings to the Blend

Malbec is particularly well suited to blending with Shiraz because it adds qualities that complement rather than compete with it.

Its deep colour, plum, raspberry and blueberry flavours build generosity through the middle of the palate. Malbec also contributes a soft, fleshy texture that makes the wine immediately appealing.

In simple terms, Shiraz provides spice, fragrance and structure, while Malbec adds colour, plush fruit and succulence.

The result is more complete than either variety might be on its own.

Serving and Cellaring

Serve Lenton Brae In Good Hands Shiraz Malbec at approximately 16 to 18°C.

If the bottle has been stored in a warm room, place it in the refrigerator for around 20 to 30 minutes before serving. A slightly cooler temperature will keep its red and blue fruits, spice and fine tannins clearly defined.

When drinking it young, decant the wine for approximately 30 to 45 minutes. This will allow the plum, raspberry, spice and chocolate characters to open while helping the oak and tannins settle into the fruit.

The wine is already beautifully approachable, but its natural acidity, concentrated fruit and fine tannin structure provide medium-term cellaring potential.

Stored somewhere cool, dark and temperature stable, it should continue developing for at least five to six years. Over time, the fresh berry flavours should gradually evolve towards dried fruit, earth, leather, cocoa and more complex savoury spice.

Food Pairing 

• Charcuterie and burrata: The winery recommends a charcuterie plate with fresh figs, seasonal fruit and fresh burrata.
• Roast lamb: Plum, spice and fine tannins work beautifully with rosemary and garlic-roasted lamb.
• Slow-cooked beef: Try it with beef cheeks, short ribs or a rich beef casserole.
• Grilled steak: The wine has enough fruit and structure for sirloin, fillet or Scotch fillet without overpowering the meat.
• Barbecued pork: Its juicy red fruit and gentle spice complement smoky pork ribs or grilled pork cutlets.
• Mushroom dishes: Mushroom risotto, roasted field mushrooms or truffled pasta highlight its savoury character.
• Firm cheese: Manchego, aged Gouda or mature cheddar work well with the plum fruit and dusty tannins.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is this page calling it Shiraz Malbec when the bottle says Syrah Malbec?

Syrah and Shiraz are two names for the same grape variety.

Shiraz is the name most Australian customers recognise, while Syrah is generally used when the winemaker wants to signal a more aromatic, savoury and refined style. Calling it Shiraz Malbec makes the blend easier to understand without changing what is in the bottle.

What does Top Gold mean?

Top Gold identifies the leading Gold Medal-winning wine within its class.

At the 2026 VI Packaging Wine Show of Western Australia, this wine was the only Gold Medal recipient in Class 29, which contained 13 different red blends.

Did it win a trophy?

It was awarded Top Gold rather than a trophy.

That remains an excellent achievement because it was the only wine in its class to reach Gold Medal standard.

Is this a heavy red wine?

It is rich, plush and generously fruited, but it is not simply a heavy or jammy red.

Natural acidity and fine dusty tannins provide control, while the Syrah styling gives the wine perfume, spice and savoury definition.

What does Malbec add to Shiraz?

Malbec adds deep colour, plum and blueberry flavours and a soft, fleshy middle palate.

Shiraz contributes spice, perfume and structure, while Malbec makes the blend feel more succulent and generous.

Is this wine sweet?

No. This is a dry red wine.

Its ripe plum, raspberry and blueberry flavours can create an impression of sweetness, but the wine is balanced by natural acidity and fine tannins.

Why does the wine taste spicy?

Some of the spice comes naturally from Shiraz, including cardamom, clove and pepper-like characters.

French oak maturation also contributes subtle vanilla and baking-spice notes.

Should I decant it?

A decant of approximately 30 to 45 minutes is recommended when drinking the wine young.

This will help its fruit and spice become more expressive while allowing the tannins and oak to integrate.

Can I cellar it?

Yes. The winery recommends drinking it now or cellaring it for at least five years.

Ray Jordan suggests a cellaring period of approximately six years. Keep the bottle somewhere cool, dark and temperature stable.

What temperature should it be served at?

Serve it at approximately 16 to 18°C.

This is slightly cooler than many Perth rooms and will help keep the wine’s generous fruit fresh and clearly defined.

 
 
 
 
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