Released in small quantities and only in exceptional years, St. Peters is Seppelt’s flagship Shiraz, testimony to the distinctive style and pedigree of Grampians Shiraz. The lineage of this iconic wine dates back to 1964, when ‘Great Western Hermitage’, as it was then known, was first made. Since 1998 this wine has been called St. Peters in honour of the first vineyard planted in the region.

This great wine was first released in 1964 as Seppelt Great Western hermitage and over the years I have been fortunate enough to taste many exceptional wines under that name. The 1971 comes to mind as one of the greatest Australian wines I have tasted. It was renamed St Peters in 1998 and since then has created a real identity. It comes from several vineyards at Seppelt Great Western, chosen for how they conform to the required style. It always gas a distinctive graphite and iron filings dustiness that pervades the palate and the nose. Seamless and so well integrated with the oak and tannin combination help to focus a very long finish. This consistently ranks with my best Australian releases each year. Drink to: 2024-2042; Price: $80.00; Rating: 98 Points; Ray Jordan

Very deep, youthful purple/red colour, with an expressive pepper-spice and graphite, earthy, ironstone bouquet. Very complex and multi-faceted in spite of its youth. The wine is very full-bodied, concentrated yet beautifully balanced, with ample fine, supple, yet persuasive tannins that bring an appetising dryness to the middle and end-palate. Richness, concentration, and impossible elegance into the bargain. Aged in small and large format French oak. A great shiraz. Drink: 2023 to 2044; Price: $80.00; Alcohol: 14.5%; Rating: 97 Points; Huon Hooke; The Real Review