In 1972, Cousins Greg and Rodger Trott produced a dry red wine from a blend of grenache and shiraz grapes grown on Greg’s vineyard adjacent to the small Bethany Chapel opposite Wirra Wirra. This wine proved to be an instant hit, however as with all things the original blend evolved over time eventually becoming the Wirra Wirra "Church Block", the vineyards signature blend of cabernet sauvignon, shiraz and merlot. The "Original Blend" is a recreation of the original grenache and shiraz blend that made the cousins famous throughout the McLaren Vale.
Vivid crimson in colour with vibrant hues of deep red, aromas of forest berries, cherries and raspberries intertwine with scents of freshly tilled earth, rose petals, nutmeg and ginger spice. A wide spectrum of flavours are present on the pallet with cherries, raspberries and blueberries at the forefront, giving way to a lovely mid palate fleshiness, with the fruit being supported by fine savoury tannins and waves of spice.
Ready to drink now, this wine will continue to reward the patient and will continue to develop over the next 4 to 12 years.
Awards and Accolades
92 Points, Special Value Wine - James Halliday, Wine Companion "A proven performer, always a worthy example of this time-honoured regional blend. Grenache, perfumed and lightly spicy is pronounced in the bouquet, shiraz contributing the darker fruit characters. Softly textured but buoyant through the palate, the flavours of ripe raspberry, sweet spice and warm earthiness are well framed by gently lingering astringency."
2015 Vintage: 94 Points - James Halliday, Wine Companion "70/30%. The name harks back to the first vintage in '74, otherwise not a year to remember. Bright crimson-purple, it manages to give each variety equal footing; it's the full bucket of red, blue and black fruits that not only provide its flavour, but also its tannins, oak irrelevant."
GOLD - Royal Melbourne Wine Awards 2016 GOLD - McLaren Vale Wine Show 2016
Don't Pay: $25.00
WBW Rating: 94/100
Closure: Stelvin
Region: McLaren Vale, SA
Winemaker: Paul Smith
Drink now until: 2027
Alc/Vol: 14.5 %