Category Archives: McLaren Vale

2011 Shottesbrooke Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

The fruit for this comes from 26 year-old vines planted in the McLaren Flat subregion of the Vale, at the foothills of the Mount Lofty ranges. A good place to grow Cabernet it would seem. Not the only one in … Continue reading

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2011 Spring Seed Wine Co. Scarlet Runner Shiraz

The cheaper wines from the rain effected areas during the 2011 vintage are the ones more likely to suffer. Commonsense really. This isn’t a bad effort but I think that it costs a bit too much for what it offers. … Continue reading

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2011 Pertaringa Undercover Shiraz

Named “Undercover” after the McLaren Vale Shiraz that used to (and probably still does) make its way unlabeled into wines produced in other regions. Rich, chocolatey oak, peppermint and black fruits with a hint of pastrami. Supple tannin. Mouth-coating with sinuous acidity and … Continue reading

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2011 Oliver’s Taranga McLaren Vale Shiraz

Whipped through a bracket of 2011 McLaren Vale Shirazes over the last couple of days. Not a bad wine amongst them, although no great heights were scaled. A bit of the old bracken to mark the wet season but this … Continue reading

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Get Yer Rocks Off: McLaren Vale Scarce Earth 2011 Releases

The Scarce Earth project is the brainchild of Dudley Brown and Adrian Kenny, who worked together at Inkwell Wines for a number of years. It’s an exploration of the diversity of McLaren Vale’s terroir through single vineyard Shiraz wines from … Continue reading

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2012 Chapel Hill il Vescovo Tempranillo

Much to like about this Tempranillo from Chapel Hill, and like it I do. It’s savoury, refreshing and extremely food friendly. What it lacks in length it makes up for in structure and charm. I’d be drinking it sooner rather … Continue reading

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2010 Maxwell Ellen Street Shiraz

A rather old-fashioned rendering of McLaren Vale Shiraz for those with a love of overt oak flavour and a sweet tooth. 24 months in American Oak. Vanilla custard coats plums and blackberries. Licorice, bourbon and pepper. Carries its warmth well … Continue reading

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2012 Brash Higgins GR/M Grenache Mataro

Brad Hickey and Nicole Thorpe – the partnership behind Brash Higgins - are part of a wave of producers making McLaren Vale sexy again. It’s great to see the revitalisation of the region. This blend of 70% Grenache and 30% Mataro comes from two … Continue reading

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2011 Maxwell Silver Hammer Shiraz

Sees 18 months in American oak. It’s the entry-level Shiraz from Maxwell wines. As with many entry-level wines from 2011 in South East Australia, it has borne the brunt of a wet year. Bracken and mulch. Sweet oak, red and … Continue reading

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2011 Spring Seed Four O’Clock Chardonnay

Clever marketing behind these wines. From the labels and names to the events used to showcase them. Many of my friends are drawn to the identifiable floral motif and that recognition no doubt plays a part in their purchasing decisions. Smells rather … Continue reading

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