Average winter rains were followed by a very cool and dry late January/ February, resulting in very healthy vines with big canopies and intensely varietal fruit which held their acidity extraordinarily well during the March hot spell.

As a single vineyard wine, the Shiraz is made in a myriad of ways to provide a range of components from which to make the final wine. Traditional vinification saw the Shiraz undergoing a gentle fermentation in open fermenters with daily pump-overs. Approximately a third of the Shiraz was pressed off into barrel to finish ferment. A very small percentage of cordon cut, vine-dried Shiraz was blended back to the wine prior to bottling. The Shiraz matured in a mix of new and older French and American oak barriques prior to bottling.

• The Wining Pom www.thewiningpom.com.au Patrick Haddock

  Every time I want comfort without thinking I head for certain wines in the cellar that I know will match my mood. I call this my Battle of Bosworth moment. I’ve drunk this wine several times in the last year but kept forgetting to write a note because I kind of feel that it’s the kind of wine I just want to share with myself, either that or I’m just completely lazy.

  It’s the Vale in a snapshot, distinctive, atavistic, terroir laden Shiraz unadulterated by chemicals.

  It’s the organic buzz without the bandwagon, winemaking not done to make a statement, it’s done because it just feels right. It smells of  blackberry compote and fruits of the forest and choc malt, some spice characters as well.  The palate is a doona of comforting black fruit, a cloak of tannin and a tailored suit of acids. To put it simply this is comfort drinking of the highest order.

• James Halliday's Wine Companion 2011

  Deep, dark and concentrated black fruit and mulled spices bouquet; the palate is thick with mocha, bitter chocolate and a slight tarry edge to the fruit; chewy and ample to conclude. Screwcap.
  14.5% alc. Rating 92 

• Decanter Magazine 'Best New World Organic Wine' Christelle Guibert, November 2010

  A sweet nose with an intense fruity aftertaste and a firm palate. A big taste, but well balanced and discreet.

• The Winefront March 2010 Campbell Mattinson

  Here’s an (organically grown) McLaren Vale red that slips down very easily. It’s got that hit of chocolate and vanilla that you almost always get in a McLaren Vale shiraz, though it’s not overdone and anyway, its core of smooth, blackberried fruit flavour carries it with ease. There are red berried highlights and coffeed/spicy notes too. And it finishes fresh and fruity. Hits the spot bang on.

  92 Points

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