Category Archives: McLaren Vale

2013 Chapel Hill The Chosen Gorge Block Chardonnay

Not a lot of worthy Chardonnay coming out of McLaren Vale. Battle of Bosworth have managed to make a success of it in good years as have Chapel Hill. By and large the region is simply to warm. Preserved lemons … Continue reading

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2012 Yangarra Estate Shiraz

The 2012 vintage has produce some bold McLaren Vale Shiraz even from vineyards situated in cooler sites, like Yangarra’s. When it comes to descriptions you often find yourself using words that have inherently negative connotations when it comes to Australian … Continue reading

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2013 Three Dark Horses McLaren Vale Shiraz

I believe this comes from a single vineyard, I know not where, in McLaren Vale. I’m sure winemaker Matt Broomhead will enlighten me. Distinctive profile for a Shiraz from the region. Very red fruited on the nose. Cherries and redcurrants … Continue reading

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2012 Chapel Hill McLaren Vale Shiraz

Colour me confused. 2012 saw Chapel Hill makes their finest Sangiovese…and perhaps one of least distinguished Shiraz wines. The flavour profile is as you’d expect. Mulberries, plums, salted Dutch licorice, milk chocolate and the like. But there’s a strange absence … Continue reading

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2014 Yangarra Estate PF Shiraz

Made without additions of any kind. PF stands for “preservative free”. Picked on pH, so the lower ABV is more a result of practicality than intent. Perfectly ripe though. Quite amazing really. Just as you might expect in terms of … Continue reading

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2013 Yangarra Estate Mourvèdre

Tasted very briefly over dinner at The Victory earlier this year and again at a more leisurely pace this month. Powerful plum and blackberry fruit is matched step for step by a strong strike of tannin. Rare meat and an … Continue reading

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2011 Battle of Bosworth Best of Vintage

As the name suggests, this is a blend of the best grapes produced by Battle of Bosworth’s certified organic estate vineyards each year. 47% Cabernet, 37% Shiraz and 16% Petit Verdot. A lengthy decant is advised for now. Violets, wet … Continue reading

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2013 Chapel Hill Chardonnay

Chapel Hill’s entry level, lightly oaked Chardonnay. I suspect the fact that it’s from McLaren Vale won’t put the target audience off. Melon and lemon curd mostly. Piña colada plays around the periphery. Fruit forward but with a light toastiness … Continue reading

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2011 Yangarra High Sands Grenache

Curious wine. Not so much on account of the quality displayed by the previous release or how good the 2012 looked when I had a sneak peak at it last month. More a matter of the 2011 Yangarra Estate Grenache … Continue reading

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2012 Yangarra Estate GSM

Gee willikers this is very fine McLaren Vale Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre. 54%, 18%, 12%. Rather tight on opening but after a double decant it’s far more communicative. Continued to improve over three days of tasting suggesting a bit of cellar … Continue reading

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