Category Archives: McLaren Vale

2011 Mr Riggs Scarce Earth Shiraz

This was one of just a few wines that stood out like a sore thumb at last year’s Scarce Earth tasting on account of the amount of oak and alcohol. Its inclusion really did surprise me. It just doesn’t fit … Continue reading

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2012 Chapel Hill Mourvèdre

Attractive new website since I last visited. Wines listed with food matches which is great because I don’t know what the hell I’m doing when it comes to that. I always choose pork. In this case they’ve recommended “[p]orchetta with … Continue reading

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2011 Partisan By Jove Tempranillo

Tempranillo from a tough year in McLaren Vale. Slick confected dark red berry fruits before varietal savouriness and spice kicks in on the back of the mid-palate. Plenty of clumping, chubby tannin. Peppery aftertaste. Average flow and length. Easy enough … Continue reading

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2011 Partisan Black Label Grenache

Has the words “Willunga” and “McLaren Vale” in difficult to read red print on the black label. Redcurrants, peat and leaf with a lot of pepper. Sweet and spirity, hot on the finish. The line is torn apart by spiky … Continue reading

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2012 Partisan McLaren Vale Trenchcoat GSM

Holds its alcohol fairly well although it is warm and attenuated on the finish. Fruit tastes slightly baked and flat but not overly desiccated or arid. Rather savoury. Sodden earth, raspberry, salted licorice and black fruits. Powerful, hulking sort of … Continue reading

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2012 Partisan McLaren Vale Shiraz

Quality inexpensive regional drinking. Hugely under-rated. Always brings a smile to my face. Juicy blackberries and plums, milk chocolate, licorice and earthy spice. A hint of coffee cream from the oak. Lovely dynamics in the fruit. The tannin is a touch coarse … Continue reading

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2013 Yangarra PF Shiraz

No added sulphur, no oak but of most interest to me is the lack of acid additions in such a vital wine. Is it a site specific proposition or could more McLaren Vale producers be learning from this? In any case … Continue reading

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2012 Dodgy Brothers Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre

A blend of 47% Grenache, 44% Shiraz and 9% Mourvèdre. Savoury, tarry, earthen wine with baked fruits. Holds its alcohol ok but there is still heat at the backend. Bitter herbs and orange peel to close. Quite a lot of … Continue reading

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2012 Dodgy Brothers Shiraz

Somewhat of an old-school McLaren Vale take on Shiraz sourced from the White’s Valley Vineyard and the Dry Creek Vineyard, both in the Sellicks Foothills subregion. Dense and powerful. Liqueur like fruit, milk chocolate and some slightly custardy mocha oak. Tarry … Continue reading

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2012 S.C. Pannell Old Vine Garnacha Blend Tinto

A blend of Grenache and Touriga, sourced from both McLaren Vale and the Barossa this time round. The last release of the S.C. Pannell Tinto (2010) was labelled solely as McLaren Vale. Fresh, spicy red and black cherries, raspberries and lavender. … Continue reading

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