d’Arenberg The Footbolt Shiraz 2013

The price of this Footbolt Shiraz has dropped in recent times, now sitting under $20/bottle. Handy value drinking at that price.

While the RRP has come down, the process is still pretty intensive for an $18 wine, with some foot treading and 12-18 months maturation in new and used French and American oak. There’s a solid rustic appeal to this Shiraz too – it’s not technically spotless, but the red plum fruit richness works well with the earthen, drying tannins to give a real impression of ‘guts’.

I kept thinking about earthy Langeudoc reds with this McLaren Vale Shiraz, and with something suitably meaty this would go ok (and the length is satisfying). Well worth the asking price too. Best drinking: 2016-2026. 17/20, 90/100. 14.4%, $18. Would I buy it? Probably not, but I’d recommend it.

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