Exquisite Shiraz, Elegantly Crafted
Our region's fresh and vibrant expressions of Shiraz are testament to the exceptional terroir and innovative spirit of McLaren Vale.
Shiraz (also called Syrah) was one of the first red wine-producing grapes planted in McLaren Vale in the mid-1800s, and the variety upon which McLaren Vale’s global reputation for premium red wines boomed.
Embodying the vibrant spirit of our coastal wine region, McLaren Vale Shiraz generally produces medium to full-bodied wines, that offer a symphony of fruit-forward flavours, with a well-rounded velvety mouthfeel and a perfect balance of acidity. Exhibiting the full spectrum of red and blue fruits through to the deep and brooding flavours of black fruit, these luscious fruit notes are artfully complemented by layers of indulgent chocolate, mocha, and subtle vanilla, enriched further by savory spices and earthy undertones.
Crafted with gentle winemaking techniques and the careful use of oak, McLaren Vale Shiraz stands out for its approachability and elegance, each bottle reflecting the diverse soils, unique geology, and coastal influence of our region.
Primary Flavours
Bright fruit-forward notes are common to all styles of McLaren Vale Shiraz, providing a vibrant backbone to each wine.
Common primary flavours include raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, plums and black cherries.
Secondary Flavours
Secondary flavours in McLaren Vale Shiraz add complexity and depth to the fruit profile. These often include chocolate, mocha, and subtle hints of vanilla.
Spice and Earthy Undertones
Spice and earthy undertones contribute to the complexity of the McLaren Vale Shiraz, adding layers of savoury flavours. Common descriptors include savoury spices, liquorice, and earthy notes.
Texture and Structure
McLaren Vale Shiraz is characterised by its generous mid-palate, plush velvety mouthfeel, and balanced acidity. This combination provides vibrant wines with well-rounded texture.
Primary Flavours
Bright fruit-forward notes are common to all styles of McLaren Vale Shiraz, providing a vibrant backbone to each wine.
Common primary flavours include raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, plums and black cherries.
Secondary Flavours
Secondary flavours in McLaren Vale Shiraz add complexity and depth to the fruit profile. These often include chocolate, mocha, and subtle hints of vanilla.
Spice and Earthy Undertones
Spice and earthy undertones contribute to the complexity of the McLaren Vale Shiraz, adding layers of savoury flavours. Common descriptors include savoury spices, liquorice, and earthy notes.
Texture and Structure
McLaren Vale Shiraz is characterised by its generous mid-palate, plush velvety mouthfeel, and balanced acidity. This combination provides vibrant wines with well-rounded texture.
STYLES OF McLAREN VALE SHIRAZ
McLaren Vale Shiraz wines showcase a remarkable diversity, offering everything from fresh and fruity expressions to elegant and structured styles, as well as classic rich Shiraz and cellar-worthy selections. This diversity is a testament to our region's varied terroir and the innovative approaches of its winemakers, making McLaren Vale a renowned global producer of premium Shiraz wines.
The primary styles of Shiraz from McLaren Vale wine region, categorised based on their winemaking approaches, are:
Fresh and Fruity
This style emphasises prominent fruit flavours in a fresh, light and flavoursome style of Shiraz.
These wines are typically crunchy and lighter-bodied, and are made to be enjoyed upon release.
This style exhibits minimal oak use and can be moderate in alcohol level, compared with heavier styles, at approximately 12.5–13.5% alcohol by volume.
Elegant and Structured
This style focuses on structure and vibrancy, often showcasing minerality, balanced acidity and a remarkable perfume.
These wines are generally medium-bodied and are known for their elegance and fresh, floral nose. They can be enjoyed in their youth but also have the capacity for medium-term ageing.
This style utilises innovative winemaking techniques and/or careful use of oak to create texture and a velvety mouthfeel while ensuring that vibrant fruit flavours remain at the forefront.
Generally, this style has an alcohol level of around 13.5–14% alcohol by volume.
Classic and Rich
This style exudes bold rich flavours that envelop the palate, often balancing depth with elegance and great intensity of fruit.
These are generally medium-to-full-bodied wines that are known for their fuller allure and complexity. They can be enjoyed in their youth but also have the capacity for extended ageing.
This style exhibits carefully integrated oak to provide a well-rounded texture and mouthfeel. Generally, this style has an alcohol level of 14-14.5% alcohol by volume.
Cellar Selection
This style is crafted purposely with longevity in mind, displaying solid oak structure, depth, intensity of fruit and restrained power.
These wines are often medium to full-bodied with a rich mouthfeel and are crafted specifically for long-term ageing.
This style exhibits careful, integrated oak that adds complexity and longevity to the wines. This style generally has an alcohol level of 13–15% alcohol by volume.
Fresh and Fruity
This style emphasises prominent fruit flavours in a fresh, light and flavoursome style of Shiraz.
These wines are typically crunchy and lighter-bodied, and are made to be enjoyed upon release.
This style exhibits minimal oak use and can be moderate in alcohol level, compared with heavier styles, at approximately 12.5–13.5% alcohol by volume.
Elegant and Structured
This style focuses on structure and vibrancy, often showcasing minerality, balanced acidity and a remarkable perfume.
These wines are generally medium-bodied and are known for their elegance and fresh, floral nose. They can be enjoyed in their youth but also have the capacity for medium-term ageing.
This style utilises innovative winemaking techniques and/or careful use of oak to create texture and a velvety mouthfeel while ensuring that vibrant fruit flavours remain at the forefront.
Generally, this style has an alcohol level of around 13.5–14% alcohol by volume.
Classic and Rich
This style exudes bold rich flavours that envelop the palate, often balancing depth with elegance and great intensity of fruit.
These are generally medium-to-full-bodied wines that are known for their fuller allure and complexity. They can be enjoyed in their youth but also have the capacity for extended ageing.
This style exhibits carefully integrated oak to provide a well-rounded texture and mouthfeel. Generally, this style has an alcohol level of 14-14.5% alcohol by volume.
Cellar Selection
This style is crafted purposely with longevity in mind, displaying solid oak structure, depth, intensity of fruit and restrained power.
These wines are often medium to full-bodied with a rich mouthfeel and are crafted specifically for long-term ageing.
This style exhibits careful, integrated oak that adds complexity and longevity to the wines. This style generally has an alcohol level of 13–15% alcohol by volume.