Mystery Unlabelled Bendigo 'The Axe' Shiraz 2020

A failed export deal out of Axedale has just landed the 2020 Mystery Axedale Shiraz. Made by a winemaker in Axedale who follows a strong local tradition, this cleanskin might come without a label, but inside the bottle it’s all rich, bold Shiraz with the depth and character the region is known for.

When it comes to Australian Shiraz, Heathcote and nearby spots like Axedale are right up there with the best. The area is famous for its old red soils that give the wines extra depth and character. Add in warm days to ripen the fruit and cool nights to keep things fresh, and you get Shiraz that’s rich, full of flavour, and beautifully balanced.

The 2020 Mystery Axedale Shiraz is a brilliant showcase of this unique terroir, delivering dark blackberry and ripe plum flavours wrapped in layers of spice, subtle oak, and silky tannins that linger beautifully on the palate.

This is a cleanskin release, which means while the label remains plain and mysterious, the wine inside is anything but crafted with care, full of character, and showing all the hallmarks of why Heathcote Shiraz is so highly sought after both in Australia and overseas. In fact, wines from this region regularly achieve premium prices and international recognition, often cellaring gracefully for a decade or more, yet here we are offering it for just $10 a bottle, a price almost unheard of for a Shiraz of this calibre. It’s the kind of bargain that makes you want to stock the cellar, open a bottle with friends over a BBQ, or simply pour a glass at the end of the day and remind yourself why Shiraz from this part of Victoria is among the best in the world.

Axedale is located 15 minutes from Bendigo on the McIvor Highway. Whichever way you look at it, it can be considered either Bendigo or Heathcote due to it's geographical location. This wine has more in common with those reds from Heathcote.