2023 Thomas Wines The Dam Block Shiraz
2023 Thomas Wines The Dam Block Shiraz

2023 Thomas Wines The Dam Block Shiraz

96 pts
Thomas Wines |Hunter Valley |Shiraz
A plush, vibrant and juicy modern expression of Hunter Shiraz, carved from Thommo's flagship Kiss vineyard.
Price:
$40.00
Stock:
Sold out
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Description

Sitting just across the water from the iconic Kiss Shiraz vines, this tiny 0.8-hectare parcel is proof that great things often come in small packages. The soils and aspect are nearly identical to its famous neighbour, so it’s no surprise the Dam Block shows the same dark-fruited depth and savoury edge - only here it’s delivered with a little more lift and a slightly looser tie.

Hand-picked late in February 2023 after a long, steady ripening, the fruit was fermented as whole berries to coax out vibrant perfume and supple texture, then matured for 14 months in French hogsheads. The result is a wine that bursts with blue and black fruits, laced with spice, and finished with the al-dente tannins that mark this patch of Pokolbin.

Think of it as the Kiss’s younger sibling: less brooding, more exuberant, but with the same pedigree and balance that makes Thomas Shiraz so sought after. For those who can’t quite snag the flagship, the Dam Block is a brilliant introduction – bright, juicy, and deeply satisfying.

"Powerful yet graceful and utterly delicious."
- Toni Paterson MW (Halliday Wine Companion)

Toni Paterson MW

Toni Paterson MW

Halliday Wine Companion 96 Points

Sourced from a tiny 0.8ha block, this is a composed shiraz with lovely savouriness. Fragrant, tight and medium weight, with a core of lemony acidity. With aeration, silky blue fruits emerge alongside gently succulent cherry and flecks of juniper. Powerful yet graceful and utterly delicious.

In the Vineyard
Hand-picked on the 24th of February 2023, which is probably the latest we've ever harvested this block providing a longer than usual ripening period. This wine comes from a tiny 0.8 hectare block just across the dam from our flagship old vine Kiss Shiraz. It shows similar dark blue fruits as well as the distinctive savoury texture and al-dente tannins of this pedigree vineyard, but with a slightly more extroverted personality (and a slightly more affordable price).

In the Winery
For the 2023 vintage Dam Block Shiraz, the fruit was destemmed but not crushed allowing some bright carbonic characters to emerge during the relatively cool seven day fermentation on skins. Pressed off to new, one and four-year-old French oak hogsheads (300L) in roughly equal proportions for 14 months maturation.
Two of the newer hogsheads were ultimately selected for our 2023 Elenay Shiraz blend, which is an endorsement of the significant quality from the Dam Block this year.

Bottled 25th June 2024
Production 264 dozen
Released 17th May 2025

Price Bracket $31 to $40
Type Red
Body Full Bodied
Variety Shiraz
Country Australia
Region Hunter Valley
Australian State NSW
Feature High Score
Reviewed By Halliday Wine Companion
The Wine Front
Critic Score 96
94
Alcohol 13.5%
Size 750ml
Vintage 2023
Closure Screw Cap

Thomas Wines

Andrew Thomas is a modern-day legend in the Hunter Valley, crafting some of the region's greatest wines for over three decades. His personal label is regarded as a benchmark winery, with a focus on premium Shiraz and Semillon— the Hunter Valley's hero varieties. Thomas has access to some of the region’s best vineyards, allowing him to create wines that truly capture the essence of the Hunter.

Originally from McLaren Vale, Thommo moved to the Hunter Valley to join the winemaking team at Tyrrell's Wines. After 13 years, he ventured out to develop his own label, making single-vineyard wines that highlight the subtle differences between Hunter’s subregions.

Thomas Wines is known for its classic Hunter Valley Shiraz and Semillon, but it also occasionally explores innovative styles without compromising on value. The white wines are delicate and cellar-worthy, while the reds are full-bodied and classic in the best sense of the word, making them one of the benchmarks for modern Hunter Shiraz.

A mentor to much of the next generation of Hunter producers, if you want to try the essence of the Hunter Valley, Thommo's wines are a must-try.

The Thomas Wines Braemore Vineyard Hunter Valley, NSW Thomas Wines

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