The Shingleback D Block Reserve Shiraz is named for the Davey Block of the Davey Estate vineyard and is the personal expression of the McLaren Vale from the eyes of winemaker John Davey. True reserve wines, the D Block is only made in exceptional vintages just like this 2009. In the glass the wine has a colour that is impenetrable purple red. On the nose there are aromas of mulberry and blackberry that mingle with dusty cashew, milky chocolate (typical of McLaren Vale), spice and forest floor. There are tight, fine tannins to counter the bold, fresh fruit which results in an alluring and unmistakable wine that expresses the essence of the vine, the time and the place.

Some would say McLaren Vale is the spiritual home of Australian Grenache. We are not about to start arguing when Grenache like this one from Chapel Hill are produced. Generous rich red fruits with smattering of dried herbs and a fleshy mid-palate. There is real concentration and complexity to this wine.

This McLaren Vale Grenache is bursting with ripe cherry and and raspberry fruit flavours, with a lush and concentrated palate and silky textured finish and supple tannins. This big red will pair perfectly with roasted meats and vegetables.

Select parcels of premium McLaren Vale Shiraz were chosen from 4 different vineyards for this wine, each being crushed separately. Following extended barrel fermentation over 18 months, the four parcels were blended to create this superb wine.

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.

ColourVery attractive crimson black colour. DenseAromaVery lifted and perfumed, spicy, almost nutty fruit/ oak complexity. A touch of that peaty character which is so typical of the old vines in Block 9.PalateSoft, rich, flavoursome palate with lovely spice and pepper complexity lingering. Not sweet, more savoury and elegant in style. A great follow on from the 2010 Reserve Shiraz. This is an impressive example of old vine Blewitt Springs Shiraz.

ColourA very attractive crimson red.AromaThis wine exhibits the distinct Grenache aromas; concentrated rose petals, ripe red berries and hints of confectionery. The nose is complex with signs of barrel maturation without any obvious oak.PalateThere are ripe strawberry and raspberry flavours with the warmth of the dry grown Grenache showing long and fine tannins with a lingering finish. There is a savoury dry character that is not aggressive in any way with hints of spice. The wine lingers and has cleansing acidity. This wine reflects the terroir of the area and the characteristics of the Grenache variety.

Medium bodied, with lots of chocolate and blackberry, sophisticated supple tannins supporting deep fruits and appealing savoury balance.

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 wine has a mouth filling lusciousness, densely packed with generous plum and dark cherry fruit flavours along with subtle floral violet characters and a smack of vanilla underlying the opulent oak expression.