Grape Variety: 100% Shiraz

Growing Region: McLaren Vale, South of Australia

Chief Winemaker: Michael Fragos

TASTING NOTE:
If you ever get the chance to explore South Australia, make sure you have on your places to visit Chapel Hill. Not only are the wines outstanding, the setting with the old Chapel/ cellar door and the retreat/cooking school will make it hard to leave.

The grapes for this wine were sourced from vines aged between 16 and 35 years. The individual vineyard parcels were harvested and fermented separately to retain the unique character of each site. After fermentation and careful skin contact the fruit was gently basket pressed, and then matured for 20 months in 300L oak hogsheads, of which 91% was French and 9% American. Barrel ages vary from: 24% new, 11% one year old, 33% two year old, 17% three year old and 15% four year old. To preserve purity and character, the wine is un-fined, with no additions of tannin and is also bottled unfiltered.

McLaren Vale Shiraz is typically graced with an opulently intense mouth feel and a unique combination of power and grace. The 2009 McLaren Vale Shiraz displays a rich mixture of blueberry, pimento and liquorice flavours. The seamless integration and balance of these fruit flavours with the subtle textured oak notes, is further enhanced by the bold persistence and mouth filling savoury tannin structure to the finish, which pleasingly lingers for some time. Decant for 45-60mins and serve at 17C.

CELLARING POTENTIAL:
Drinking well this season; and will age well for another 5-7 years.

SUGGESTED FOOD MATCHES:
Perfect wine match with black olives, flavoursome meat dishes, and aged cheddar, enjoy.

90 points, Wine Advocate, Feb. 2012.