Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Shirvington's 2008 Shiraz gives a deep garnet-purple color and intense notes of warm black cherries and black raspberries over anise, chocolate box, allspice and vanilla pod. Very full-bodied and concentrated with 16% declared alcohol, this is a big mouthful yet well balanced with crisp acidity and medium-firm fine tannins, finishing long. Approachable now, it should blossom with another couple of years in bottle and drink through 2020+.
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Wine Enthusiast
Full-bodied and creamy-textured, this is a big (16% abv) yet beautiful example of McLaren Vale Shiraz, with ample toast and vanilla from oak maturation balanced by bold raspberry fruit and plenty of meaty, savory complexity. The long, supple finish suggests a drinking window from now through 2016
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.