In a region renowned for Shiraz and increasingly flirting with Italian varieties Shottesbrooke strikes me as something of a Cabernet specialist.
Density and depth. Blackberries, chocolate and roasted root vegetables with some mint jelly. Fresh dark cherries and blueberries impart vitality. It’s not a heavy or thick wine despite the generosity of flavour – oak is underplayed. There’s a sensitivity to the winemaking that befits the bright fruit. Excellent segue from acid to appropriately assertive tannin. You’d not pick it is anything other than Vale Cabernet but it’s a good’un alright. 93+
Region: McLaren Vale
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Price: $50
Tasted: August 2013
Thanks for the great review on this wine Jeremy. Your opening paragraph brings some pride out as we have championed McLaren Vale Cabernet for awhile. I believe we have some of the best blocks in the area and they are just starting to show their worth in Single Vineyard wines like this one (obviously the great vintage helps).
I pass this block on my way to work everyday and therefore (rightly or wrongly) I believe it gets that extra bit of love. Reynell Clone, planted early seventies, 2 acres and amazingly consistent. While we all talk up our Shiraz, in my time in the Vale, it has been Cabernet that is the most consistent.
There certainly seem to be some sites that are particularly suited to it. Clarendon and Chapel Hill’s Gorge Block come to mind readily and I am certain I have overlooked others.
Thanks for the extra information. It always helps to fill out the picture…for myself and for the readers.