d'Arenberg The Ironstone Pressings GSM 2008
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The palate has immediate impact with pungent, rich dark fruits and earth. The dark plum and mulberry fruit make way for rich, gritty and vibrant fruit tannins which build nicely before slowly fading to reveal oodles of spice and dark earthy fruits.
There is considerable structure, restrained power, focus and great depth focus which will ensure it ages with grace.
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Chester Osborn's top selection of old-vine grenache, chiraz and mourvedre, this is dry-farmed, foot-trod and basket-pressed into a fragrant, red- and purple-fruited beauty. Mourvedre brings a sausage meat and pepperoni-like spice to the sweeter strawberry flavors of grenache. Allspice and a waxy fruit skin character add deptch to the tannins. A traditional style, pressings in Australia are meant for long aging, and this will likely be at its best ten years or more from the vintage.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Composed of Grenache (55%), Shiraz (38%) and Mourvedre (7%), the 2008 The Ironstone Pressings GSM has a medium garnet-purple color and rubber and tar notes giving way to black currant cordial, blackberry juice, black raspberry, star anise and dried Mediterranean herbs. Full, voluptuous and generously fruited, it has medium-firm fine-grained tannins and crisp acid to support, finishing with good persistence. Approachable now, it should drink well to 2018.
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d'Arenberg is one of the undisputed kings of Australian Shiraz and other Rhone varieties that have historically defined the region. A century on, their vineyards have grown to some 450 acres in McLaren Vale, including Shiraz dating back to d'Arenberg's first plantings in 1912, and nearly one-third of McLaren Vale's old bush-vine Grenache. Fourth generation winemaker, Chester Osborn, recently converted all of the family's vineyards to organics and biodynamics and moved to solar energy in the winery. All the while, in terms of winemaking, not much has changed--all the wines are basket-pressed, the reds foot-trodden during fermentation; everything is done in small batches, leading to an impressive array of bottlings every year, each showing a different facet of McLaren Vale terroir. Having been inducted into Wine & Spirits Magazine's Hall of Fame for earning a place on its Top 100 Wineries nine times, this accolade is a reflection of d'Arenberg's revered reputation worldwide.
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
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.