McLaren Vale Premium Wines

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McLaren Vale Premium Wines 2004 III Associates Renaissance Red (McLaren Vale)

Price $20

A blend of 63% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Petit Verdot, the wine is medium-full in the mouth, with a feel that’s juicy and soft for the most part—there are some wooly, woody tannins here, too. Its has a plum and red cherry core, with a slight sour bite at the finish. Enjoyable; drink over the next three years. Imported by Aussie Imports. — D.T. (8/1/2006)

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McLaren Vale Premium Wines 2003 III Associates - Three Score and 10 Grenache (McLaren Vale)

Price $20

Ultrasmooth, this is an easy-drinking rendition of Aussie Grenache that’s not swamped by new oak. There’s some vanilla, but it simply serves to support the red cherry and currant aromas and flavors. Hints of dill and mint keep it from being too confected, as does a mouthwatering tartness on the finish. Drink now. — J.C. (12/15/2006)

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McLaren Vale Premium Wines 2005 III Associates Sabbatical Sauvignon Blanc (McLaren Vale)

Price $20

Clean, correct and refreshing; this is not a big wine by any means, but, for an SB, it does have some baby fat. Almond notes in the midpalate are bolstered by a narrow band of citrus flavor. Peach and grass aromas start it all off. — D.T. (8/1/2006)

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McLaren Vale Premium Wines 2002 Associates Chardonnay (McLaren Vale)

Price $13

Opens with thick honey, butter and mango-papaya aromas; the thickness doesn’t let up on the palate, either, where there’s bright peach flavors and a dense, heavy mouthfeel. It’s pleasing though a little simple—its heavy fruitiness reminded us a little of lollipop, or canned tropical fruit. — W.E. (7/1/2004)

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McLaren Vale Premium Wines 2000 III Associates - The Third Degree Red (McLaren Vale)

Price $17

A compelling wine from a marketing perspective: The label says that the Associates won’t tell you what’s in it, but fully expect “the third degree by our refusal to comment,” hence the wine’s name. From a taste perspective, though, this is an odd wine: It has both meaty, green pepper flavors and ripe, juicy plum fruit, with stewy, grapy aromas on the nose. — D.T. (5/1/2004)

Most Reviewed Designations

Associates III Associates - The Third Degree III Associates - Three Score and 10 III Associates Renaissance III Associates Sabbatical

Most Reviewed Varietals

Bordeaux-style Red Blend Chardonnay Grenache Red Blend Sauvignon Blanc

2009 Mira Hyde Vineyard

The esteemed Hyde Vineyard is in Carneros, and is the source for some…

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