2002 Wild Duck Creek Yellow Hammer Hill Shiraz/Malbec (Screwcap)

Wild Duck Creek Estate is a family-run winery in Heathcote, near Melbourne, Australia. It was started by David and Diana Anderson in 1972 when the young couple purchase their first block of vineyards. Their first commercial vintage was 1991. Today the winery owns 34 acres of vineyards and Wild Duck makes six wines, which are Shiraz, Shiraz blends, Cabernet Sauvignon and a Viognier. Son Liam Anderson has also joined the family business. Robert M. Parker Jr. writes that David Anderson “is the resident guru here. Most would agree that these are the finest and most distinctive wines coming out of Heathcote.” Wild Duck Creek Estate is something of a cult wine producer in Australia and its wines generally earn excellent reviews.

Victoria is one of Australia’s smallest and coolest wine regions, yet one of the nation’s most dynamic and quality-oriented. Unlike many of Australia’s wine regions, which include many large, industrial producers, most Victoria producers are small, independently owned and crush fewer than 25 tons of grapes per year. With more than 600 wineries, Victoria has more producers than any other state, though it ranks third in production. Winemaking started in Victoria in the 1850s when Swiss immigrant Hubert de Castella recognized the area’s winemaking potential. There are many climates and topographies in Victoria, from dry, irrigated inland terroirs to cooler, higher regions. Top sub-appellations include Heathcote, Rutherglen and the Yarra Valley. Shiraz and Chardonnay are the principal grapes grown, though Viognier, Pinot Noir and Tannant are also grown. Of special note is the region’s history with sweet dessert wines made of Muscat. Some are called “Tokay” and are made from the Muscadelle grape. Red dessert, Madeira-style wines are also produced.