Description
Pete Schell has made a career out of dragging Barossa Shiraz back to its restrained, mid-weight roots. Bête Noir is his masterpiece in that style, earning its name from the sheer logistical nightmare of juggling the tiny old-vine parcels required to build it.
The 2023 release is pieced together from six distinct sites across Moppa, High Eden, Light Pass, and the Eastern Foothills. Vine age averages 45 years - peaking at a century-plus - rooted in everything from skeletal high-altitude sandy loams to classic red clay.
Schell fermented 35% of the fruit as whole clusters to lock in aromatics. It then spent 20 months in a mix of larger-format barrels and 35% new French oak, ensuring the wood acts as a tight frame rather than a heavy mask.
The result trades syrupy weight for tense, savoury energy. Expect dark plum, crushed wild herbs, and a spicy, earthy edge wrapped in fine tannins. It's a masterclass in regional blending and a massive over-deliver on price.
94 points
"Full bodied and wonderfully balanced with gorgeous pure fruit, melt-in-the-mouth tannins."
- Dave Brookes (Halliday Wine Companion)
Customer Reviews
| Price Bracket | $41 to $50 |
| Type | Red |
| Body | Full Bodied |
| Variety | Shiraz |
| Country | Australia |
| Region | Barossa Valley |
| Australian State | SA |
| Reviewed By |
The Wine Front Halliday Wine Companion The Wine Advocate |
| Critic Score |
95 |
| Alcohol | 14% |
| Size | 750ml |
| Vintage | 2023 |
| Closure | Screw Cap |
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Common Questions
Delivery is free on orders of $199 or more.
For orders under this amount, delivery is calculated at checkout based on your postcode. You can order in any quantity or combination of wines you like. Straight dozens are not required.
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No, all prices are set at the full discounted dozen rate already.
Most wine retailers list at a single-bottle price and then discount 10–15% when you buy six or twelve. We've taken the opposite approach. Since the overwhelming majority of our orders are already 6 bottles or more, our list price is set for the case buyer from the start. There's no inflated single-bottle price to discount down from.
What that means for you:
- One price, same for everyone — no minimum to hit to unlock the best rate
- No mixed-six gymnastics to qualify for a discount
- Our single-bottle price is typically at or below a traditional retailer's by-the-dozen rate
Put simply: the box discount is already baked into the price.
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