A blind lineup of top 2012 McLaren Vale Shiraz (with an interloper)
While blind tastings are nothing new here at ozwinereview HQ, it’s rare to have as narrow a focus as this.
Naturally, given the strength of the 2012 vintage in the Vale, I had high hopes – and this lineup largely delivered (much like these Scarce Earth wines did)
Oh and I slipped the Old Faithful in for good measure, largely as it fits the ‘premium Vale Shiraz’ brief. Didn’t look out of place either.
All these wines were thus tasted single blind (I knew what was here but not the order) and over a good 12 hours. Extra thoughts and background information in italics.
Chapel Hill The Vicar Shiraz 2012 (McLaren Vale, SA)
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Sourced from the Inkwell Vineyard Block 1 + 2 plus the Road Block. Definitely a more approachable wine than previous Vicars (less oak too) but I prefer the exceptional Chapel House Block Shiraz which is line priced with this. 14.5% $65
Purple red colour. Soapy nose – fresh picked plum. A fruit driven, juicy, light to medium bodied style. Restrained oak and plenty of bright fruit, if a little light on. There is an initial attack of fruit but after that it just seems to peeter out. Waiting for the penny to drop here – it just doesn’t. Swish but not the drive to finish things off, but the spit and polish of clever winemaking bumps the score up considerably. 17.7/20, 92/100
Inkwell I & I Shiraz 2012 (McLaren Vale, SA)
Unusual in Vale terms as it is wild fermented (which is the regional exception). Produced from all four Inkwell blocks, this is an absolute bargain. 14.5% TA 6.1, pH 3.68. $30.
Unusual in Vale terms as it is wild fermented (which is the regional exception). Produced from all four Inkwell blocks, this is an absolute bargain. 14.5% TA 6.1, pH 3.68. $30.
Thick, fruit cake ripeness to kick off, luscious red fruit ripple palate with good concentration and a mid weight balance. Definitely a more energetic style of Vale Shiraz (and tastes warmer than many in this lineup), if not quite a heavyweight in terms of extract. Lovely style though – feels really unforced and pure, the withering blackness keeps on and on. It’s bold and fruitcakey to start but that finish and length keeps on and on. Top shelf. 18.5/20, 94/100
Wirra Wirra RSW Shiraz 2012 (McLaren Vale, SA)
This is an exceptional wine and the only one in the lineup that I picked from the outset. Polished, archetypal Vale red – I want some. 14.5%, $70
This is an exceptional wine and the only one in the lineup that I picked from the outset. Polished, archetypal Vale red – I want some. 14.5%, $70
A very thick, complete nose – the quintessential package. The palate shows concentrated black fruits, carefully balanced oak (no obvious sweetness) and a lovely late lilt of flavour black jelly bean flavour and mouth closing tannins. Classy wine, with a superb, licoricey intensity. Drink this from 3 years. Excellent balance – real top tier Vale red. Score will go up as it integrates – seriously fine. RSW? 18.7/20, 95/100
The Old Faithful ‘Top of the Hill’ Shiraz 2010 (McLaren Vale, SA)
The only wine in this lineup sealed in cork. From an old block north of the Onkaparinga river. All French oak maturation. Doesn’t look like a 2010, although in retrospect it’s more forward and open than the 12s. pH 3.6. TA 6.2. 14.5% $50.
The only wine in this lineup sealed in cork. From an old block north of the Onkaparinga river. All French oak maturation. Doesn’t look like a 2010, although in retrospect it’s more forward and open than the 12s. pH 3.6. TA 6.2. 14.5% $50.
Fig jam ripeness and a real lifted boysenberry nose – a big, ripe and open number. Thick, black fruited palate tending towards dried fruit, yet inescapable fruit concentration. Old school, thick grained oak tannins are a distraction. Still power is impressive. 18/20, 93/100
Coriole Shiraz 2012 (McLaren Vale, SA)
Estate grown and in a good place. Buy with confidence (and well priced). 14% $30
Estate grown and in a good place. Buy with confidence (and well priced). 14% $30
Ultra rich and luscious red fruit style oozing red fruit prettiness. Quite old school in its sweet vanilla oak actually, condensed fruit concentration and a slight jammy edge to the finish. I love that red fruitiness, the choc milkshake oak the only distraction. Maybe a little simple? Delicious wine though. 17.9/20, 93/100
Battle of Bosworth Shiraz 2012 (McLaren Vale, SA)
Nice wine but outgunned in this lineup. Probably look really good by itself. 14.5%, $25
Nice wine but outgunned in this lineup. Probably look really good by itself. 14.5%, $25
Slightly more forward nose. Quite a pretty, raspberry fruited red finishing quite light and gentle. Perhaps a fraction skinny to finish but 100% McLaren Vale Shiraz in all its glory. Genuinely affable. 17.5/20, 91/100
4 Comments
Hello Andrew,
As usual, a terrific review.
Some great fruit coming out of mv in 2012
Q. When such a quality vintage comes along, such as the 2012 from mv, does this present a conundrum for vineyards?
In so far as the cheaper wines generate a large supporter base due to the quality of the fruit from that vintage and as a consequence the more expensive wines are left sitting on the shelf so to speak.
Just my thoughts
Could be a conundrum but likely just an embarrassment of riches! A year where cheaper wines excel and top wines look even better. Good times for wineries!
Hello Andrew,
Is the Wirra Wirra RSW shiraz from 2012 (not stated)?
Sure is Colin. Sorted now.