Nectar. An absolutely sublime McLaren Vale Shiraz dripping in history. There's an excellent story that goes with it too.
The Upper Tintara Winery was established in 1863. All that remains are five open fermenters crafted from locally mined slate at the nearby Delabole quarry in Willunga Hills. These have gone unused for almost a century seeing their last vintage in 1927 - until now. Andrew Hardy has resurrected these fermenters as a wonderful nod to the district's history.
This Shiraz sees older French oak for 18 months (although the bottle label says 16 months).
A basket full of dark berry fruit moves with dark plums and dripping in silky dark chocolate. Fine spices add some warmth and are flanked by aniseed. The depth is the clincher. Dusty edges are bound powdery like tannins. A wine that is long, persistent and slides down with absolute ease. Sheer class and then some.
Drink to ten years+
95/100
Region: McLaren ValeSource: Sample