Grey Label McLaren Vale Shiraz 2019

Wolf Blass

Grey Label McLaren Vale Shiraz 2019

Wolf Blass

Grey Label McLaren Vale Shiraz 2019

RRP (750 mL)
$35.00
750 mL
$29.00
6 x 750 mL
$174.00

Overview

Overview

Mclaren Vale Shiraz is inherently suited to the Grey Label style, rich, plush and powerful, yet with an approachability that provides sheer enjoyment throughout its evolution over time in bottle.

Grey Label Shiraz was sourced from vineyards ranging in altitudes from about 50m near the coast to 200m where McLaren Vale merges with the Adelaide Hills, bringing complexity and layers of interest to the final wine. The region mostly spans two basins of ancient bedrock layered with sediments laid down by advances and retreats of the sea over the past 45 million years. Soil types vary from sands, yellow clays, and red and black loams through to ironstone.

Individual vineyard batches were fermented in small open-top fermenters for 5 to 10 days. Plunging and gentle irrigation were used to work the cap and optimise flavour, colour and tannin extraction, providing for concentration and depth of fruit flavour, while keeping tannins plush, hallmarks of the Grey Label style. Select batches completed fermentation in barrel, contributing mid-palate texture, while others finished fermentation on skins, providing structural length and focus.

Varietal Shiraz
Vintage 2019
Country Australia
Region McLaren Vale
Volume 750 mL
Closure Screw Cap
Alc/Vol 14.5%
Peak Drinking Now - 2027
Winemaker Marie Clay

Awards and Accolades

Awards and Accolades

McLaren Vale Shiraz Trophy International Wine Challenge 2021
Gold International Wine Challenge 2021
Bronze 2022 Hobart Wine Show
Bronze 2022 Royal Queensland Wine Show
Bronze 2022 International Wine and Spirit Competition
95 Points Jeni Port
95 Points Huon Hooke
94 Points Ken Gargett
94 Points James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion 2023
93 Points Andrew Caillard
92 Points Ray Jordan

Food Pairing

Food Pairing

Beef
Lamb
Duck
Veg
Pizza

Taste Description

Taste Description

Nose

A complex, layered nose of lifted blueberry, blackberry and blood plum, with hints of dark chocolate, liquorice and warm spices, enhanced with subtle, fragrant oak.

Flavours and Palate

Rich yet elegant, with plush, succulent dark-berry fruit that fills the mouth without being heavy. The tannins are fine, long and velvety, framing the palate while providing texture and length.

Viticulture Vintage & Winemaking

Viticulture Vintage & Winemaking

McLaren Vale, South Australia

McLaren Vale lies nestled between the Mt Lofty Ranges and the rolling white sand beaches of Gulf St Vincent. With its warm Mediterranean climate, relaxed coastal ambience and superb local produce, McLaren Vale is a melting pot of food, wine and the arts: the ultimate epicurean destination. The region is renowned for its soft and velvety Shiraz, with pronounced berry, spice and chocolate flavours.

Vintage Conditions

October to March rainfall was well below average, with
judicious irrigation required to develop canopies early in
the season and maintain vine health throughout summer.
McLaren Vale’s proximity to the moderating influence of
Gulf St Vincent helped temper the hot summer days. Fruit
was picked at optimal ripeness, yet while still retaining
natural acidity and fresh, bright flavours.

Marie Clay - Winemaker

Wolf Blass winemaker Marie Clay discovered wine through her Dad's stellar collection of South Australian reds. Like all good fathers, he stocked up on the birth year of his two daughters. In Marie's case, that just happened to be a lovely bottle of 1979 Wolf Blass Black Label, which was cracked at her 21st birthday.

After graduating in 2000 from the University of Adelaide with first Class honours in Oenology, Marie received the Southcorp wine scholarship. This allowed her to travel and work with the company’s best winemakers across the Australian wine regions of Coonawarra, Barossa, Sunraysia and Great Western. Following these experiences, Marie worked with Lindeman’s for 4 years at both their NSW and Victorian wineries, overseeing white wine production.

In December 2006 Marie joined the Wolf Blass winemaking team in the Barossa, where she relished the opportunity to work with premium red wines from vineyard to bottle. She loves working in a modern winery that allows the fruit's potential to be realised. Langhorne Creek and McLaren Vale, the heartland regions of the Grey Label range, are particularly close to her heart.