The premium fruit parcels for this Shiraz wine were sent to the winerys Vintage House and crushed into 7-decade old concrete vats. Fermentation was carried out by wild yeasts found on the skins of the fruit. This was followed by careful extraction. Post fermentation maceration was done next and the drink transferred to American and French oak hogsheads for malolactic fermentation. 14 to 16 months later, the resultant wine was racked and filtered.

Medium bodied, with lots of chocolate and blackberry, sophisticated supple tannins supporting deep fruits and appealing savoury balance. Has enormous appeal now yet will age gracefully for 8-12 years.

Awards & Reviews95 Points - Sam Kim 94 Points - James HallidayDescriptionDescriptionIntense spice, berry and chocolate aromas with integrated oak notes. Full Bodied and bursting with a complex mix of flavours of mocha, vanilla and intense red berry flavours. Great middle palate sweetness with well integrated American oak.Drink now to 15 years.

Even the smallest details can make a big difference when making wine. The Winemaking Discovery Pack series provides a journey into the cellar to demystify winemaking by showing how variations in winemaking technique can influence the finished wines.Try these wines side by side to explore the differences in flavour, aroma and texture that is achieved by varying the maceration time on skins during production. On the nose, focus on the variations in intensity and aroma. On the palate, compare how the wines sit in your mouth and for persistence (length). Enjoy the discovery.Wine A: 8 Days on skinsWine B: 16 Days on skins

Lovers of classic Vale shiraz will adore this! It’s big, rich & round (we’re salivating already and offers loads of inky goodness to get lost in. Plush, chewy berries with hints of peppery spice and leather float intriguingly across the palate. Plums, blueberries and juicy black cherries dominate the fruit spectrum in that inimitable Vale dark coffee-cake profile. It’ll get even more attractive in a few years, but I, for one, won’t be able to keep my hands off it.

Ben Riggs is McLaren Vale royalty. This is the wine of a maker in his prime. Known by all, and perhaps the envy of a few. This wine is superfine and mega satisfying. Made in small batches, this has the classic fruitcake richness you’d expect, with surprising elegance, tasteful French oak and a savoury spice finish. It’s long and supple, rich enough for some lip-smacking satisfaction, but not overweight or tiresome. A bright streak of acidity keeps things fresh and exciting. No wonder so many mofos come back for more (and more, and more).

Heirloom Vineyards was conceived in vintage 2000, when a young winemaking student caught the eye of a silly old wine judge. A love story ensued inspired by two vows: To preserve the best of tradition, the old world of wine and our unique old vineyards, and to champion the best clones of each variety, planted in the most appropriate sites, embracing the principles of organic and biodynamic farming.

Colour: Medium to deep red with crimson hues. Nose: red berries, nutmeg & touch of cinnamon, complimented with cedar oak. Palate: Generous spice carries through to the palate. Fine tannins and intense red berries enhanced with integrated oak, bright acidity and a long finish. Overall true to varietal. Best Drinking: great drinking from 2022. Beyond that it will age gracefully until at least 2030 and beyond. Food Match: superb with rich flavoursome dishes. With the wine’s savoury notes consider also medium flavour pairings. Winemaker’s Comments: A slightly cooler and wetter growing season a long and beneficial ripening season, requiring less ripeness to produce maximum flavour. Grapes from Willunga and Sellicks Hill areas of McLaren Vale on heavy clay-loam soils. Matured in American and French oak for 18 months

The Pertaringa name is no stranger to the Aussie household. The iconic Hardy family are to wine what vegemite is to toast: a perfect match. So, to land this beauty from the hands of Bec Hardy is monumental for us, and we couldn't be more pleased. This is McLaren Shiraz through and through, with densely packed dark chocolate and fresh roasted coffee exploding on the nose. The palate follows through just as true, layered with preserved plums, dark forest berries and a lick of vanillin softness. There's one word for this wine, and it's