Wines from McLaren Vale

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Noon 2002 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (McLaren Vale)

Price $55

A feminine Cab, one that feels delicate and elegant in the mouth but has the power and intensity to beat the crap out of you, if only she were that kind of girl. On the palate, pure black-cherry fruit receives a judicious dose of smooth oak, which fades into chalk on the finish. Very classy, and quite excellent. — D.T. (5/1/2004)

points

D'Arenberg 2008 The Noble Wrinkled Riesling (McLaren Vale)

Editors' Choice

Price $19

Lovely dessert-style Riesling at an extremely attractive price. It yields dried apricot aromas, then turns to honeyed marmalade in the mouth, just loaded with orange-apricot preserves. It’s weighty and viscous, with a long, sweet finish. Should last through at least 2016. — J.C. (9/1/2010)

points

R Wines 2007 Chateau Chateau Pergola Blewitt Springs Grenache (McLaren Vale)

Cellar Selection

Price $67

Remarkably well balanced for a wine at nearly 16% alcohol, this is also quite fragrant and complex, boasting an array of scents ranging from slightly mushroomy, savory notes through dried flowers and baking spices. The texture is wonderfully lush and supple, while the flavors add fruit sweetness to the savory components. Long on the finish. Drink now–2015. — J.C. (10/1/2010)

points

Rosemount 1997 Balmoral Syrah (McLaren Vale)

Price $50

The ’97 version of this old-vines classic is earthy upfront, and packed with spicy plum and chocolate. It’s a full-volume wine, with lots of style. It’s dark and luscious, but still toes the line of balance with background licorice notes and overall rusticity — M.S. (10/1/2000)

points

Coriole 2004 Lloyd Reserve Shiraz (McLaren Vale)

Price $65

This masterful Shiraz is lush and velvety yet not overly soft—there’s a backbone underneath that should allow this wine to age easily through 2015 at least. Heady, concentrated scents of cassis mingle easily with smoke and vanilla, adding dense layers of chocolate and cinnamon on the palate. A long, mouthcoating finish confirms the wine’s quality. — J.C. (2/1/2007)

points

Mitolo 2005 Savitar Shiraz (McLaren Vale)

Price $59

Nitpicking Europhiles might find this a touch warm on the palate, but it’s a full-bodied, lusty expression of Australian Shiraz, with fruit that kaleidoscopically moves from raspberries to black cherries and on to blackberries, all the while graced with hints of peppery spice that echo elegantly on the long finish. Drink 2010–2020. — J.C. (12/31/2007)

points

Slipstream 2005 Fastback Shiraz (McLaren Vale)

Editors' Choice

Price $30

Crafted by winemaker by Reid Bosward (of Kaesler) and sourced from importer This well-endowed Shiraz should impress novices and connoissieurs alike. Despite 15% alcohol, there’s no sensation of untoward heat, just waves of amazingly pure blueberry and blackberry fruit, capably framed by vanilla and baking spices. It’s creamy and lush in the mouth, and finishes long… — J.C. (4/1/2007)

points

Tapestry 2004 The Vincent Shiraz (McLaren Vale)

Editors' Choice

Price $41

A relative bargain in the scheme of South Australian Shiraz, this is a cherry-picked selection from the Baker’s Gully Vineyard. It smells like mint, vanilla and chocolate at first, then unfolds on the palate into something akin to thin mints with vanilla and blackberry sauces, topped with black olives and coffee—yet all in one harmonious, savory whole. Long, silky… — J.C. (12/31/2007)

Most Reviewed Varietals

Bordeaux-style Red Blend Cabernet Sauvignon Chardonnay Grenache Merlot Red Blend Rhône-style Red Blend Riesling Sangiovese Shiraz/Syrah Viognier White Blend

Most Reviewed Wineries

Coriole D'Arenberg Fox Creek Gemtree Hugh Hamilton Kangarilla Road Mitolo Shingleback Tapestry Tatachilla Wirra Wirra Yangarra Estate Vineyard

2008 DiamAndes de Uco Gran Reserva

Blackberry, blueberry and maple aromas announce a rich, ripe wine…

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