Wild Duck Creek Estate Duck Muck Shiraz 2002

Wild Duck Creek Estate is a small multi-generational family owned winery situated in Heathcote, Victoria. 

In 1994 David McKee coined the name Duck's Muck for some ferociously over-ripe shiraz, left on the vine for several extra weeks. He now oversees the constantly refined process, displaying rheid like attributes. It has a naturally high acidity, which the original shiraz vineyard maintains, whilst being picked with sugars over 16%. Maturation is in heavily toasted French and American oak for over 2 years. Duck Muck "now called", is bottled straight from the barrel and as a crust is definitely to be expected decanting will always freshen the result. Using traditional viticulture and winemaking techniques, including cane pruning, hand picking, open and barrel fermentation, whole bunch fermentation, hand plunging and basket pressing. They use new and old oak maturation for up to 36 months depending on the wine.

The renowned 2002 Shiraz Duck Muck, a late harvest cuvee with 16.5% alcohol, does not possess the Amarone-like, raisiny, pruny character one might expect from a Shiraz of this power. It boasts a dense purple colour, a sumptuous perfume of black fruits, white flowers, and toasty oak, tremendous balance, full body, immense concentration, and abundant glycerin. Give it 3-4 more years of cellaring, and drink it over the following 10-15. Sadly, there are only 200 cases, which I suppose explains the bold pricing. - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 95 Points

The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal - Shiraz
Country - Australia
Region - Barossa Valley, South Australia
Vintage - 2002
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 16.5%