d'Arenberg The Garden of Extraordinary Delights Shiraz 2010
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Wine &
Spirits -
Robert
Parker
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Wine & Spirits
The most inland of Osborn's single-vineyard shirazes, this grows 490 feet up into the Sand Hills district on 42-year-old vines planted in sand over sandstone. This wine's powerful red fruit explodes out of a gunflint scent, its finish clearly delineated, focusing the flavors in an earthy direction. The fruit holds freshness against substantial alcohol, suggesting it will gain from cellar time. "You'd need a massive pepper steak if you drink it now" one taster suggested.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2010 The Garden of Extraordinary Delights Single Vineyard Shiraz has a nose of black cherries, spiced blueberries and red currants over hints of dried mulberries, allspice, black pepper and cedar. Full-bodied and richly fruited in the mouth, it has medium to high levels of velvety tannins, lively acid and finishes long with a slight herbal lift.
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.
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.