2023 Elenay Shiraz
2023 Elenay Shiraz
A barrel-selected blend from the Pokolbin Estate (Kiss), Sweetwater Ridge and Pokolbin Estate (Dam Block) vineyards. Satiny texture and blue fruited, but with an underlying grunt of concentrated fruit and 'sexy' premium French oak.
This label was first created a "beautiful accident" in 2011, when a few barrels that were designated to be the famous Kiss Shiraz and Sweetwater vineyard Shiraz didn’t quite match their respective styles. With tongue in cheek, we affectionately referred to these ‘left-over’ barrels as the “Lips and Arseholes” and blended them together to create quite an exceptional Hunter Valley Shiraz. The wine was extremely well received, so we decided to continue the label in subsequent vintages by making an actual barrel selection for the blend.
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Winemaking Overview
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In the Vineyard
The vineyard composition of this blend will change each vintage depending on how the personality of each block meshes together on our tasting bench.
The 2023 blend is a selection of newer barrels from the Kiss (45%), Sweetwater Ridge (36%) and Dam Block (19%) parcels.
Whilst Kiss and Sweetwater have been included in every Elenay blend since the inaugural 2011 vintage, this is the first time that the Dam Block has made the grade since 2018 -
In the Winery
This label was first created from what we now describe as a "beautiful accident" in 2011, when a few barrels that were designated to be the famous Kiss Shiraz and a few barrels of Sweetwater vineyard Shiraz didn't match their respective styles. With tongue in cheek, we affectionately referred to these ‘left-over’ barrels as the “Lips and Arseholes” and blended them together to create quite an exceptional Hunter Valley Shiraz.
Since then, we have worked hard each vintage to create what could be described as a 'best barrel' blend between our various single-site parcels.
Stylistically, the sexy premium French oak can definitely be a feature of this label, particularly as a youngster, but will 'fold in' with the fruit given some time in the cellar.
Bottled 25th June 2024 with 368 dozen bottles produced, and then rested for 11 months before its official release on 17th May 2025
14.3% ABV
94/100 - Q Wine Reviews
"Mulberries and blueberries swarm as they reach out and greet you. Laced with an array of fine spices, this is another excellent Elenay release from Thomas Wines. If anything, the Elenay highlights the sheer skill of the winemaker bringing together a host of barrels from a range of vineyards to deliver this very clever wine. This 2023 sees a blend of barrels from Kiss, Sweetwater Ridge and the Dam block (5/4/2). Newer barrels are generally used too such is the feature of the Elenay style. Some blackberry pie builds some momentum with time in the glass and a good decant proved that it will pay dividends so all the secrets can be revealed. Medium bodied in the classic Hunter Valley style, the fruit is dense and painted on thick. The consistency from width to breadth is salivating and urges a return time and again. Red currants want a piece of the action, too, as does some cured meatiness. Firmish tannins show a dusty and powdery presence, and that length...!! This is going places, but not in a hurry. Be patient, tuck this away for a few years and it will be humming. "
View SourceTasting Notes
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Appearance & Aroma
Vivid and deep glossy purple to the core
with an intense and focused nose with aromas of dark Valrhona chocolate, cassia and pink pepper spice, fresh blackberry, boysenberry and ripe black cherry fruits. A dusting of deluxe French oak adds volume
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Palate & Finish
Immediately, the palate draws you in with its fine, voluptuous texture. Then there are layers of flavour beginning with black plum, bramble berry, and sweet espresso hints. Notes of mocha, thyme, licorice, and even graphite add a savoury mineral hint. The structure is discreet yet present with fine ripe tannin and soft lacy acid. This wine is long and exuberant; drinking well now and will continue to develop complexities for years or decades to come.
WHEN TO DRINK
This wine is drinking deliciously now, but you find that sexy oak will become more and more integrated with time in the cellar.
Drink anywhere from 2025 to 2035 and beyond.
The Vineyards
Whilst I have always applied a no compromise, attention to detail approach to my winemaking, I truly believe that 90% of the quality lies in the vineyard. The key to great wine is ‘keeping it simple’ to preserve that potential quality from the vine through to the bottle - Andrew Thomas