Tasting Notes for Paxton Queen of the Hive Light Shiraz 2023 from the Winery

A modern, Beaujolais-style blend, part early-picked Shiraz (92%), part Grenache (8%) for pure deliciousness. This wine is a whole lot of fun coming together in an easy-drinking chillable style. Perfect for a pool party, a park party, a beach party, a backyard party. Or actually any party, or anywhere.

The Queen of the Hive produces the bees that have a vital role in maintaining natural balance & eco-health in our world. Bees keep plants & crops alive through pollination & without bees, humans would struggle to survive. Bees only survive & thrive in chemical free environments, hence why our certified biodynamic, estate vineyards in McLaren Vale are home to so many bee hives & their powerful, tireless Queens. To all the Queens we salute you! Biodynamics is the most advanced form of organic farming that uses natural preparations to bring the soil & vine into balance. Our Light Red is a modern, Beaujolais-style blend, part early-picked Shiraz, part Grenache for pure deliciousness. Slippery, easy, succinct. This wine is a whole lot of fun coming together in an easy-drinking, chillable style.

Vintage Notes

Low and slow. The 2023 growing season was a time for viticulturalists to show off their impressive skills. From a cold and wet, seemingly never-ending winter to a Spring which seemed like it was still winter, a long, cool Summer which seemed like Spring, challenges were abound. Numerous climatic challenges including cool and windy weather during flowering, one of the wettest Springs for 30 years and even more windy weather in Summer meant that crops were small but our organic and biodynamic farming methods paid off — our vines showed incredible resilience to whatever came their way. A season that was around three weeks late on average and had a much slower ripening period means that 2023 wines show great acid, complex layers of delicate flavours, lightness, brightness, and longevity.

Winemaking

Part nouveau, whole-bunch, carbonic maceration. Part saignee fermented in oak. Part early-picked Shiraz with just a few days on skins. Part Grenache for pure deliciousness. This wine is a whole lot of fun coming together in an easy-drinking chillable style. Perfect for a pool party, a park party, a beach party, a backyard party. Or actually any party, or anywhere.

Bouquet

Zippy redcurrants, blueberry floss, purple taro bubble tea. Red fruit punch party. Simple but effective.

Palate

Cool, crunchy acid, a dusting of soft powdery tannins. Slippery, easy, succinct.

Cellaring: Drink now to February 2026

(SKU: PX_QLR_CV)