Red Knot McLaren Vale Shiraz 2017 (Australia)

Red Knot McLaren Vale Shiraz 2017 (Australia)"Produced in McLaren Vale, south of Adelaide, a premium wine producing region, particularly for Shiraz. The Davey family farmed the land up until the 1990s when they switched to grapes and created Shingleback wines, which Red Knot is part of. This wine reaches their goal of being fragrant with blackberries and blueberries with an intensely rich fruity flavour. A big bold wine that will sit comfortably with rich meats and stews" NWWA 2019 Purple red in

"Produced in McLaren Vale, south of Adelaide, a premium wine producing region, particularly for Shiraz. The Davey family farmed the land up until the 1990’s when they switched to grapes and created Shingleback wines, which Red Knot is part of. This wine reaches their goal of being fragrant with blackberries and blueberries with an intensely rich fruity flavour. A big bold wine that will sit comfortably with rich meats and stews" NWWA 2019

Purple-red in colour. Pretty primary aromas of ripe mulberries and blueberries are highlighted with nuances of white pepper and vanilla. Bright blackberry and strawberry flavours fill the midpalate and are focused into the long finish by fine tannins. Fresh acidity and mineral elements complete this vibrant medium to full-bodied McLaren Vale Shiraz.

The region has a Mediterranean climate with wet winters, dry summers and plenty of sunshine. The proximity to St Vincent Gulf, coincidentally named after the patron saint of winemakers, benefits fruit quality with warmer spring and autumn conditions and cooler summers. McLaren Vale is renowned as a premium wine region of great beauty that consistently produces high quality, richly flavoured wines.

Healthy soaking winter rains continued through spring and into early summer setting up good canopies without the need of supplementary irrigation. Wet soils and a cool start to spring resulted in flowering being 3 weeks later than in the previous years. Good fruitfulness of the vines and higher bunch weights meant crop levels were generally above average. Careful canopy management and a timely stop to the rains in mid-January minimised disease pressure. The dry & generally mild February and March were followed by a warmer than average April, allowing a long, slow ripening period and an orderly progression to harvest.

Semillon, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir for Rosé, mostly harvested around the first week of March, all showed vibrant cool climate flavours and structural minerality. A burst of heat gave the reds a push allowing us to start filling the fermenters towards mid-March. The early red fruit was perfumed and spicy with excellent length. As vintage progressed fruit weight increased and flavours moved into darker berry profiles. Red Knots palette of Shiraz wines are spicy and aromatic with good concentration and length. Cabernets are very varietal with blackcurrant and leafy notes. The Shingleback harvest finished with Mataro picked after Easter on the 18th of April, timed nicely before rains that fell shortly after.