The art of élevage is the skill of blending in the cellar, raising the potential of exceptional grapes to deliver something profound in the bottle. Meticulously blended parcels of wine, and the mystery of specially selected oak barrels deliver intense flavours, complexity and palate length. Intimate knowledge of the finest Shiraz vineyards in McLaren Vale and exquisite blending of barrel aged wines create a flavour sensation of blackberries, plum jam, cocoa, dark graphite and cedar wood characters leading a rich, smooth and concentrated palate enhanced by an expansive mouthfeel and velvety tannins. Balanced, decadent and extremely luxurious, this is a wine for serious celebrations.

The Syrah patch was planted in the mid 1940’s and yields a microscopic 250-300 dozen per annum. The Sandown Syrah patch is west facing and features significant ironstone content. The site yields a signature incense like spice throughout the fruit and makes for a highly exotic expression of Blewitt Springs Syrah. Cola, sarsaparilla, incense, blackcurrant, blueberry, black olive, Italian leather, Sandalwood and roasted meat are all on display with recessed power woven throughout this highly perfumed and multi-layered, seamless example.

Made by Rockstar winemaker Ben Riggs, the McLaren Vale Shiraz is as true an expression as one could hope for. The fifth release of the wine is based around a core of pristine fruit with dark red berries, hints of spice, earth, tar and leather and with seamlessly integrated oak. Ripe tannins are apparent but not overwhelming, meaning this is a wine which can be enjoyed now or in the next 10-15 years.

Part of Two Hands super-premium, single vineyard range, this classic McLaren Shiraz style has nuanced blueberry, mocha and spice characters. Always made to be plush, rich and smooth, the Lily's Garden never seems to be void of any complexity though. Super long length and superb tannin structure also help the McLaren Vale beauty truly sing.

Bright dark black garnet colour. Lively, spicy aromas and flavours of blackberry pie a la mode, spicy praline, and mole with an oily, tangy, dry-yet-fruity medium-full body and a warming, subtle, breezy spiced cherries, chocolate mint and nuts, and cedar finish with firm, chewy tannins and moderate oak.

Kilikanoons Parable Shiraz showcases the regional expression of McLaren Vale typically showing mocha, coffee and brown spices alongside a core of ripe juicy red fruit with cedar and vanilin characters. The wine is vinified in a traditional manner; small parcels of fruit, are fermented on skins in open top vessels then basket pressed to a mixture of new and seasoned French oak casks for 22 months.

This alluring and unashamedly bold Shiraz has hints of spiced plums, blackberry jam and cherry all at the fore and finishes with coffee cream, licorice and vanilla. Full bodied with vibrant berry fruit characteristics, yet elegant with restrained tannins, resulting in a soft mouthfeel. This Boxer is sure to be a knockout!