Willow Bridge Estate Gravel Pit Shiraz 2024

Tasting Notes

• Appearance: Deep ruby to purple, with excellent colour and youthful intensity.
• Aromatics: Dark plum, blackberry and raspberry are joined by cinnamon, clove, liquorice and dark chocolate. Subtle game, bay leaf, coffee and olive characters add savoury complexity.
• Palate: Plush and full flavoured, with black plum, blackberry and raspberry supported by chocolate, spice and restrained oak.
• Texture: Fine, chalky tannins create a grainy and gently chewy texture without becoming hard or excessively drying.
• Minerality: A lively thread of stony minerality runs through the palate, bringing freshness and definition to the ripe fruit.
• Oak: Approximately 35% new oak contributes gentle spice, toast and structure while remaining harmonious and controlled.
• Finish: Long and persistent, with dark fruit, liquorice, savoury spice and mineral detail lingering after each sip.

The Gravel Pit Vineyard

Gravel Pit Shiraz is predominantly sourced from the Gravel Pit block at Willow Bridge Estate’s hillside vineyard in the Ferguson Valley.

The block was planted in 1998 and takes its name from its former use as a source of gravel for constructing roads throughout the surrounding hills.

Its soils contain a deep layer of ironstone gravelly loam. These free-draining soils help control vine growth and encourage the development of concentrated fruit, savoury complexity and firm but finely textured tannins.

The vineyard sits within the Geographe wine region, where warm sunshine allows Shiraz to ripen fully. Maritime influence helps retain the freshness needed to balance the wine’s generous dark fruit.

The 2024 Vintage

The warm 2024 growing season allowed Shiraz to achieve excellent flavour and tannin ripeness in the Ferguson Valley.

These conditions produced deeply coloured fruit with concentrated plum, blackberry and raspberry flavours. Importantly, the wine retains the freshness, perfume and mineral definition needed to prevent it from feeling heavy.

The result is a ripe and generous Shiraz with beautifully developed fruit, savoury complexity and tannins that are firm enough for cellaring but already approachable.

Storage and Serving Tips

Serve Willow Bridge Estate Gravel Pit Shiraz at approximately 16 to 18°C.

During warmer weather, place the bottle in the refrigerator for around 30 to 45 minutes before opening. Serving it slightly cooler than room temperature will help define its dark fruit, spice and minerality.

If drinking the wine now, decant it for approximately 30 to 45 minutes. This will allow the perfume to open and help its youthful tannins relax.

The wine is already drinking beautifully, but Ray Jordan recommends cellaring for up to 10 years. Under suitable storage conditions, bottles should continue developing through approximately 2034.

Store the wine somewhere dark and temperature stable, ideally between 12 and 16°C.

Food Pairing 

• Slow-roasted lamb shoulder: Dark fruit, spice and savoury complexity make this an excellent match for richly flavoured lamb.
• Grilled rib eye: Fine tannins and concentrated fruit complement a smoky, well-marbled steak.
• Beef cheeks: The wine has sufficient depth and structure for slowly braised beef.
• Barbecued meats: Blackberry, spice and restrained oak work beautifully with smoky beef, lamb or pork.
• Mushroom risotto: Earthy mushrooms complement the wine’s savoury, mineral and dark-fruited character.
• Hard cheese: Mature cheddar, aged Gouda or pecorino suit its fruit concentration and persistent finish.

Reviews and Awards

95 Points, Ray Jordan

Big perfume, lots of flavour. A sense of ‘purple’ throughout, in the nicest sense. Sweet cinnamon and clove spice in perfume, some dark plummy fruit, faint game meat, licorice and sea spray with a dash of bay leaf in there, too. Similar to taste. Chewy with fine, chalky tannins, plush fruit character, raspberry, black plum and green olive. Beautiful texture, moreish in flavours, with a kind of gulpable feel. Right on.

93 Points, Halliday Wine Companion

Halliday Wine Companion highlighted the wine’s generous perfume, deep purple-fruited character and beautiful texture.

Cinnamon, clove, plum, raspberry and liquorice are joined by game, green olive, bay leaf and coastal savouriness. Fine chalky tannins and a plush, moreish palate make it particularly inviting.

Halliday’s Great-Value Shiraz Selection

Selected for Halliday Wine Companion’s collection of ten excellent Australian Shiraz and red blends available for $40 or less.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Gravel Pit Shiraz full-bodied?

It is a richly flavoured Shiraz with generous dark fruit, but fine tannins and mineral freshness keep it balanced. It offers plenty of depth without becoming excessively heavy.

Why is it called Gravel Pit Shiraz?

The wine is predominantly sourced from a vineyard block that was previously used to excavate gravel for road construction throughout the Ferguson Valley. The block was planted to vines in 1998.

What does stony minerality taste like?

Minerality does not mean the wine literally tastes like stone. It describes the fresh, savoury and slightly chalky sensation that gives its fruit greater definition and keeps the finish lively.

Is the oak noticeable?

Approximately 35% new oak was used, but it is well integrated. It contributes spice, toast and structure without overwhelming the plum, blackberry and raspberry fruit.

Is this a sweet Shiraz?

No. Its ripe fruit can create an impression of sweetness, but this is a dry red wine. Fine tannins, savoury complexity and mineral freshness balance its generous fruit.

Is Gravel Pit Shiraz vegan friendly?

Yes. The wine is produced without animal-derived fining agents and is suitable for vegan wine drinkers.

Should I decant it?

A decant of around 30 to 45 minutes is recommended when drinking it young. This will help release its perfume and soften the tannin structure.

How long can I cellar it?

It is already highly enjoyable, but Ray Jordan recommends cellaring for up to 10 years. Under suitable storage conditions, it should develop through approximately 2034.

 
 
 
 
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