A faithful expression of the site beautiful, haunting aromatics, fine sandy tannins and wonderful, memorable length on the palate

Name With our love for the ocean and the stunning coastline on the cusp of McLaren Vale being a massive draw card to calling this fantastic little town home it made sense to link the name of our Reserve Shiraz to it. The Squid Ink name originated from the enticing first impression of the black, dye like depth of colour this wine resonates. Vineyard Our Squid Ink vineyard is the epitome of what defines one of the greatest vineyards in Australia where the famous Black Bay of Biscay Clay soil ensures fantastic fruit. Referred to by some local friends as ‘Mayfair’ the use of sustainable viticulture and having true respect for the value of our vineyards and the fruit they create. Winery In the winery the Squid Ink Shiraz fruit is treated with utmost respect, ensuring quality from start to finish. Fermented slowly for gentle extraction of colour, flavour and tannin, the wine is monitored closely. Following fermentation, the wine is then matured in the finest of predominantly new American oak with the 2021 seeing 60% new oak Hogheads for 18 months. Maturation 18 Months in American Oak, 60% new oak Colour Deep intense dark, almost black with a purple hue. Nose There’s a depth of concentration here only seen in some year and here I think it’s reminiscent of the 2010 or 2015 vintage. The complexity seeks several sniffs to grasp. Undeniably intriguing the earthy, savoury character lingers awaiting full expression from a little more time all while tightly embraced with layers of fruit. Palate Like the nose this wine pulls you in for more. The palate is timeless, with a firm but grounded texture the all-encompassing finish drives the wine across the mouth, leaving a full, expressive and delicious lasting experience. This wine is what we believe to be a true representative of Shiraz from our region. As an Estate owned, sustainably grown, single vineyard Shiraz, we have the ability to deliver a world-class wine consistently that is truly at the top of its game. This wine, like our lives, is wonderful in youth, but with patience and development of the wines fruit, along with the integration of the finest of oak this wine will also develop wonderfully. Potential 15+ years.

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.

Yangarra Estate is a renowned biodynamic wine farm located in the picturesque McLaren Vale region of South Australia. The winery prides itself on producing exceptional wines solely from its single-vineyard estate, which is dedicated to cultivating the finest grape varieties of the southern Rhone. The unique combination of rare geologies, moderate altitude, abundant sunshine, and cool evening breezes at Yangarra make it an ideal location for growing varieties that thrive in moderate maritime environments. The Yangarra High Sands Vineyard is a source of pride for the estate, having been recognized as one of Young Gun of Wines' 2022 Top 50 Vineyards in Australia. Yangarra is an exceptional single-vineyard estate located in the esteemed Blewitt Springs subregion, situated at the northern edge of the McLaren Vale region in South Australia. The vineyard's unique combination of ancient geology, high altitude, and Mediterranean climate provides the perfect environment for cultivating the finest grape varieties of the southern Rhône. The estate's dedication to sustainable farming practices, including organic and biodynamic farming, ensures that the fruit is of the highest quality and truly reflects the terroir. The resulting wines are complex, elegant and expressive, showcasing the unique characteristics of the vineyard. Yangarra's commitment to producing exceptional wines solely from its single-vineyard estate has earned it a reputation as one of Australia's premier wineries. With a focus on Grenache and other Rhône varieties, the winery is dedicated to producing wines that are a true expression of the terroir. The wines are crafted with minimal intervention, allowing the fruit to shine through and speak for itself. The name ‘Ovitelli’ is a portmanteau of ‘ovi’ and ‘vitelli’ meaning ‘egg’ and ‘life’ respectively. The Ovitelli Grenache Yangarra's most perfumed and elegant Grenache from the sands at Yangarra. The vibrant fruit of the dry-grown 1946 planted bush vines is rewarded with a long, luxurious ferment and a whole autumn on skins in big ceramic eggs. This is their most elegant Grenache with great emphasis on perfume, tension and precision. The Yangarra Estate Ovitelli Grenache 2021 is a wine of exceptional quality, sourced from a single block of the most perfumed and elegant Grenache from the sands at Yangarra. The vibrant fruit of those dry-grown 1946 bush vines is rewarded with a long, luxurious ferment and a whole autumn on skins in big ceramic eggs. The 2021 growing season was favorable, with good winter rains, a mild flowering and fruit set period and continued spring rainfall to ensure a healthy canopy. Yields showed good balance between vine vigor and moderate berry size. The ripening period that began late January was very cool, with some welcome rainfall in mid-February. The delayed harvest, with cold nights and mild sunny days, produced excellent fruit ripeness and intensity. The freshness and bright natural acidity of the fruit were a real feature. Hand-picked on March 24th-25th and selectively berry sorted, the grapes were 100% destemmed, crushed and tipped into 675L ceramic eggs. The fermentation occurred in the eggs and remained on skins for 133 days. No pressings were used in this wine. No oak was used, and it was matured exclusively in the eggs for a total of 13 months. The wine is certified organic and biodynamic. In the glass, the Yangarra Estate Ovitelli Grenache 2021 is a bright, clear ruby color, with aromas of red cherries, raspberries and a hint of spice. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, with flavors of red fruit, herbs and a touch of earthiness. The tannins are soft and well-integrated, and the finish is long and satisfying.

Geoff Merrill Henley Shiraz shows a deep brick red colour lined by cherry red hues. A whiff of the wine reveals generous scents of berry fruits and toasty French oak. Ripe fruit flavours combine with fine and powerful tannins on the full flavoured palate, to provide an elegant structure. This delightful Shiraz ends in a captivating finale. It tastes marvellous with lamb shanks in a red wine jus, chocolate-dipped honeycomb, and sharp Cheddar cheese.

The EJ Shiraz is the jewel in Paxton's organic and biodynamic crown. Awarded 95 points in the Halliday Wine Companion 2017, this wine is the result of low yielding vines that are more than a century old. The flavour is elegant and round and the nose offers vanilla, black current and oak.

Sourced from vines over 60 years old, Olivers Taranga's reserve shiraz is a powerful wine. Rich, dark fruit balanced against notes of dark chocolate and spice. Throw in some super silky tannins and you've got one seriously smooth McLaren Vale beauty.

In the glass the 2010 S has a black core with a deep red rim. There are elegant aromas of red black fruits, and spicy earthy notes with a hint of grilled meats, graphite and controlled oak. On the palate the fruit continues with rich plums, and blueberries and delicate spice and chocolate which all roll on to a juicy palate with fine tannins that go on ... and on. Smidge recommends drinking this wine betwen 2014 and 2030.

The Nugan family is dedicated to showcasing the best vareitals from our finest growing regions. Dry warm sunny days with cool nights produced optimum fruit flavours. After picking, the Shiraz was crushed and softly bag pressed in traditional style to avoid the extraction of bitter tannins. The wine was fermentated in static fermenters, followed by further maturation with new and seasoned French and American oak prior to final blending.