The definitive Australian 'Claret' style. The colour is dark ruby red with good depth and clarity. The aroma is a wonderful example of both varieties in this blend. It is a complex mix of red berry fruits, menthol, earthy notes, spice and licorice. This is plush with ripe fruit , a hint of raisin, seamlessly leading to nuances of aged wood and finishing with vanilla like silken tannins. An absolute bargain.
This stylistic fruit driven blend from South Australia's Langhorne Creek highlights the best of the region- it is rich in ripe berry flavours of Cabernet complemented by the more savoury and spicy Shiraz, all further enhanced by ageing in American oak casks for 9 months.
Accolades and Awards:
James Halliday: 92 (2009) Clever labelling? Fleurieu is the zone that includes Langhorne Creek as one of its regions, and whence the grapes come. I don't think any apology is needed, for the wine has a very appealing mix of black fruits, black olive and herb flavours on its supple, medium-bodied palate.
VINTAGE INFORMATION The 2010 season got off to a shaky start with a brief burst of heat in November 2009, which adversely affected flowering in some varieties. Good preceding winter and spring rains set up the vines with good soil moisture and ample canopy so most varieties came through summer unaffected. For the remainder of the growing season the climate was ideal for premium grape production with many local growers proclaiming 2010 a stand-out vintage in McLaren Vale.
Don't Pay: $28.00
WBW Rating: 92/100
Closure: Stelvin
Region: Langhorne Creek, SA
Winemaker: Geoff Merrill & Scott Heidrich
Drink now until: 2022
Alc/Vol: 14.5 %
