2011 Shirvington Wine Notes

2011 Cabernet Sauvignon

Wine Notes:

The wine was 100% barrel fermented and aged for 18 months in 58% new oak, 42% one year old oak. 58% of the oak was French and 42% was American. 

2011 was a cooler and wetter year in McLaren Vale and these conditions produced some very elegant wines. Dark red with rusty red hues the nose is led by fresh, juicy blackberry and raspberry fruit. Perfume-like smells of dried tobacco and cinnamon spice entwine with smoky, cedar oak. The palate follows through with voluminous freshness, hints of licorice and fine emery tannins. This is ably supported by natural acid giving the wine a lovely length. A stunning varietal wine from a difficult vintage.

Accolades:

  • James Halliday 90 points 
  • Wine Advocate 91+ points 
  • Wine Enthusiast 91 points 

2011 Shiraz

Wine Notes:

The wine was 100% barrel fermented and aged for 18 months in 58% new oak, 42% one year old oak. 58% of the oak was French and 42% was American.

A blend of Blocks 6 and 9 form the 2011 Shiraz that is deep crimson with brick red hues. An array of different berry aromas surge from the glass - blackberry, blueberry and boysenberry - with trademark licorice and bitter dark chocolate promising to balance the sweet fruit. The fruit dances across the palate with layers of cinnamon and nutmeg spice over creamy, mocha oak. Tannins are supple and velvety and the whole experience is underscored by a mineral earthiness. An excellent example of how graceful McLaren Vale Shiraz can be in a cooler year.

Accolades:

  • James Halliday 91 points 
  • Wine Advocate 92+ points 
  • Wine Enthusiast 93 points 

2011 Block 9 Scarce Earth Shiraz

Wine Notes:

The Shirvington Shiraz in the 2011 McLaren Vale Scarce Earth Project is from Block 9 of their Redwind Vineyard. It was matured in a 2 year old French Oak barrel for 15 months. Only 371 bottles were produced.

The wine is deep red with violet hues. It is a single barrel wine that was hand selected as a true representation of the fruit expression of this classic vineyard site. Rich aromas of plum, black cherry and dark chocolate are supported by layers of licorice and spicy, cedar oak. The palate is alive with fresh red and black berry fruits; beautifully balanced with cinnamon and nutmeg spice and fine velvety tannins. The Block 9 is fruit driven, finely textured and has a well-delineated, pure, long finish.

  • McLaren Vale' variety of soils contribute to the rich diversity of Shiraz in our local region.
  • This wine was produced to highlight the terroir of our vineyard.
  • Our vineyard consists of terra rosa soil over limestone.

Vintage Notes

Most of the south eastern Australian wine growing areas were severely disrupted by a very wet growing season. We, thankfully, escaped unscathed. Early sampling of our Shiraz shows potential for tremendous quality—the length and depth of fruit is very encouraging. Our Cabernet Sauvignon fruit is more varietal than for many years, and this character has shown through in the wine, making the quality potential exceptional.