Nine Stones Nine Stones McLaren Vale Shiraz 2009
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Some herbal or alfalfa-like notes suggest a degree of uneven ripeness, but the predominant flavors are of black cherries. It's round, soft and silky in the mouth, making it a Shiraz to drink over the next year or so.
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2008-
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Nine Stones began as a collaboration between Leonard Paul “Len” Evans, often referred to as “the godfather of the Australian wine industry,” and his friend Denis Powers. Both men are of Celtic origin, and when the opportunity to create a wine brand based on this common ancestry presented itself, they named it “Nine Stones”. The Celts left many groups of standing stones, including Stonehenge. These standing stones or Druids Circles are believed to have been tribal meeting places. They are circular in aspect and amongst all the Celtic tribes, the wheel is the symbol of the Sky-God. This is the number of planets thus nine and its derivatives are “lucky” numbers. The initial three wines releases were of the Shiraz variety, chosen to display the characteristics of the region from which they emanate. Each wasa powerful, fully-ripened example of the variety. Today, the brand is owned and produced by Calabria Family Wines, a dynamic family-owned company that was established in 1945 in the Riverina region. They are committed to producing outstanding premium wines and are proud to carry on Len Evans’ great tradition through the Nine Stones brand.
Marked by an unmistakable deep purple hue and savory aromatics, Syrah makes an intense, powerful and often age-worthy red. Native to the Northern Rhône, Syrah achieves its maximum potential in the steep village of Hermitage and plays an important component in the Red Rhône Blends of the south, adding color and structure to Grenache and Mourvèdre. Syrah is the most widely planted grape of Australia and is important in California and Washington. Sommelier Secret—Such a synergy these three create together, the Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre trio often takes on the shorthand term, “GSM.”
Known for opulent red wines with intense power and concentration, McLaren Vale is home to perhaps the most “classic” style of Australian Shiraz. Vinified on its own or in Rhône Blends, these hot-climate wines are deeply colored and high in extract with signature hints of dark chocolate and licorice. Cabernet Sauvignon is also produced in a similar style.
Whites, often made from Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc tend to be opulent and full of tropical, stone and citrus fruit.