Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Shirvington's 2007 Shiraz spent 14 months in 80% new, mostly American oak. It displays an excellent nose of cigar box, lavender, cocoa, black cherry, and blueberry. This leads to a full-bodied, dense, structured Shiraz which comes off as just a bit sinewy. Aside from that, it has plenty of savory fruit, good balance, and a lengthy finish. It will require 3-4 years of additional cellaring and should be in full bloom from 2013 to 2027.
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Wine Spectator
Supple and polished with mocha-accented blueberry and dark plum flavors, lingering easily against well-buffed tannins. Drink now through 2019. 674 cases made.
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.