d'Arenberg The Ironstone Pressings 2005
Rhone Red Blends
from McLaren Vale, Australia
winemaker's notes:
Most of McLaren Vale's acclaimed and ancient vineyard land is impregnated with ancient,
decomposed laterite granite known as "Ironstone". Its extraordinary rusty red-brown color is
derived from the iron oxides present in the stone. The larger pieces were cleared from the
vineyard late last century and utilized in many of the buildings at d'Arenberg and in the district. It is indeed fitting that "Ironstone" is the first name given to this old Osborn family favorite as it
helps, both above and below ground to produce d'Arenberg's traditional pressings wine.
The 2005 Ironstone Pressings, one of d'Arenberg's flagship icon wines, is expressive with aromas
of red berries, spice, black cherry, plum and freshly cut flowers. The palate is immense and
beautifully structured with layers of red fruits and exotic notes of spice, peppers, cherries, dark
plum, blueberries and boysenberries. The finish is long and balanced with piquant tannin and
acidity.
Blend: 70% Grenache, 25% Shiraz, 5% Mourvedre
critical acclaim:
"The 2005 The Ironstone Pressings GSM is superb in this top-notch vintage. It exhibits a fragrant bouquet of mineral, earth, truffle, black cherry, plum, and blueberry. Full-bodied as well full-throttled, it offers an extra dimension of complex spicy blue and black fruit flavors, well-concealed tannin, and a seamless, pure finish. Rich enough to be enjoyed now, it will provide pleasure over the next 20 years."
94 Points
The Wine Advocate
