Vinanceous Snake Charmer Shiraz 2023

Accolades

Winepilot – 93 Points
“From the Russell Road Vineyard in Frankland River, the wine spent ten months maturing in French oak. This is cracking value. The colour is a vibrant purple. On the nose we have notes of blackcurrants, aniseed, black cherries, smoked meats, graphite, cloves, mushrooms and root vegetables. There are fine sleek tannins lingering at the finish of a wine with excellent length. With a pleasing freshness, this has been well-crafted and is most definitely worthy of attention. For enjoying over the next eight years”

Tasting Notes 

Colour: Deep, dark crimson with purple-black intensity.

Aromatics: Dark cherry, blackberry and plum, with chocolate, spice, subtle pepper and a brooding savoury edge.

Palate: Medium bodied and full-flavoured, with ripe dark fruits at the centre. Black cherry and blackberry lead into chocolate, earth, spice and firm structural tannins. The fruit feels fleshy and generous, while the tannin gives the wine shape and length.

Finish: Long, dry and satisfying, with lingering dark fruit, cocoa, spice and firm Frankland River grip.

Frankland River Shiraz

Frankland River is one of Western Australia’s strongest regions for Shiraz. Its inland Great Southern climate brings warm days, cool nights and excellent conditions for developing dense fruit flavour, colour and tannin.

This gives Snake Charmer its personality: darker, richer and more structured than many coastal WA Shiraz styles, but still with the freshness needed to keep the wine balanced.

Viticulture and Winemaking

Producer: Vinaceous
Wine: Snake Charmer Shiraz
Vintage: 2023
Region: Frankland River, Great Southern, Western Australia
Variety: Shiraz
Style: Medium-bodied dry red
Oak: French oak maturation
Closure: Screw cap

Vinaceous has previously sourced Snake Charmer Shiraz from the Russell Road vineyard in Frankland River. The wine is made in a traditional red-wine style, with fruit harvested at full ripeness, fermented in open-topped fermenters, and managed with plunging and pump-overs to build colour, flavour and tannin. French oak maturation adds structure and polish.

Serving and Cellaring 

Serve: 16°C

If the bottle has been sitting at warm room temperature, place it in the fridge for around 15 minutes before serving. This helps keep the fruit fresher and the tannins smoother.

Decant: Highly recommended. Give it 60 minutes in a decanter while young to let the dark fruit, spice and chocolate notes open up.

Cellar: Enjoy now with a decant, or cellar for five to eight years as the tannins soften and the wine becomes more savoury and fleshy.

Food Pairing 

• Slow-cooked beef cheek or short ribs
• Chargrilled steak with pepper sauce
• Roast lamb shoulder with rosemary and garlic
• Barbecue ribs or smoked brisket
• Beef and mushroom pie
• Rich tomato-based ragu
• Aged cheddar, manchego or hard sheep’s cheese

FAQ 🧐

Is Vinaceous Snake Charmer Shiraz 2023 a big red?
No. It is a rich, full-flavoured Shiraz with dark fruit, chocolate, spice and firm tannin. However, compared with a Jammy Barossa Shiraz, this would be medium bodied in comparison but is drinkable all year round.

Is it sweet?
No. This is a dry red wine. The ripe dark fruit gives it richness, but the finish is dry and savoury.

Should I decant it?
Yes. A decant will help the wine open up and soften the tannins, especially while it is young.

What makes Frankland River good for Shiraz?
Frankland River’s warm days and cool nights help produce Shiraz with dense flavour, strong colour, natural freshness and firm tannin structure.

Can I cellar it?
Yes. It has the fruit depth and tannin to develop well over the next several years.