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Mclaren Vale

Overview

  • Benchmark Mclaren Vale Reds

             Wine Ratings

  • Reds
  • Whites

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Just a thirty minute drive south of Adelaide some of the best Australian Shiraz grows in the cool, rolling vineyards of Mclaren Vale.


The region is strongly Maritime influenced, with considerable variation in climate between the hill slopes and the sea. Rimmed by Gulf St. Vincent to the west and the Mount Lofty Ranges to the east, the gulf waters and the deeply folded hills are powerful wine-shaping geography. The hills produce good seasonal rains while the coast brings ripening sunshine softened by cooling sea breezes. But proximity to the ocean is not the only factor influencing the climate, as the district experiences a variety of varying topographies, hence altitude is a major factor on the influence of climate.  

 

Main varieties in the region are sun-drenched Chardonnay and big bold Shiraz. Well-rounded Cabernets and crisp, medium-bodied Rieslings and Sauvignon Blanc also have made a name for themselves. There are literally hundreds of excellent wines to try from Mclaren Vale. The one thing to be mindful of when shopping the region is that in major viticultural areas site selection is paramount, and well drained, north facing sites which are frost free and located away from the valley floor tend to produce the best vines.

 

 

Buying Giude: Benchmark Mclaren Vale Red Wines

 

 

d'arenberg-dead-arm-shiraz-mclaren-vale-bottle

 

 


D'Arenberg Dead Arm Shiraz $55d'arenberg-dead-arm-shiraz-mclaren-vale-label

fGrapes: 100% Shiraz

Description: Deep red crimson color. Licorice and tar, smoke and spice, red flowers and pepper, cherries, cranberry, blueberries, chocolate, toasty biscuit, earth. This wine is super dense, super concentrated and super flavorful.

Comment: Dead arm is actually a fungal disease that affects grape vines, causing one half of the vine to go limp, or “dead,” while the fruit on the other half of the vine becomes intensely concentrated. The fermented juice is matured for 21 months in French and American oak. The barrels are then sampled and only the best of the lot is bottled The Dead Arm Shiraz.

Food pairing: mature cheeses | rich meat dishes | pastas | truffles | grilled red meat

When to drink: Wait 3-5 years after release, keep for up to 20

Service temperature: 18°C | 64°F

 

 

chapel-hil-shiraz-grenache-mclaren-vale

 

Chapel Hill Shiraz-Grenache McLaren Vale $18

fGrapes: 85% Shiraz, 15% Grenache

Description: Cinnamon spiced stewed plum with earthy undertones.

Comment: Blending the two grape varieties that best epitomize the region, this wine is an excellent introduction to Mclaren Vale wine. The fruit is sourced from vines between 10 and 40 years in age, with each vineyard fermented separately to ensure a harvest at optimum maturity. The wine is aged in French and American oak 50/50.

Food pairing: picnic | medium to rich cheese | pasta | thai | poultry with cream sauce

When to drink: Drink young, keep up to 5 years

Service temperature: 18°C | 64°F


 

 

 

fYangarra Estate Vineyard Cadenzia McLarenyangarra-estate-cadenzia-mclaren-vale Vale $20

Grapes: 68% Grenache, 27% Shiraz, 5% Mourvedre

Description: Dark Rhone purple, with cherry perfume, burnt sugar and ripe black fruit.

Comment: Literally “from the earth” in the native Australian tongue, Yangarra is a single vineyard estate encompassed by 35 individual plots of some of the finest Rhone varietals in Southern Australia. Sixty year old Grenache vines compose the solid backbone of this wine, juicy Shiraz and fragrant Mourvedre round it out. Fermented with wild yeasts, after which the Shiraz gets 18 months in 100% new oak, and the Grenache and Mourvedre get the same with older oak.

Food pairing: mature cheeses | rich meat dishes | pastas | truffles

When to drink: Drink between 3-7 years

 

 

 

On the Market: Mclaren Vale Wine - Reds

$10 and Under
$11-$20
$21-$30
$31-$50
$50+

85 Wagtail Shiraz-Grenache McLaren Vale $10

85 Screwed Red Red Blend McLaren Vale $10

84 Simplicity Red Wine Red Blend McLaren Vale $10

 

93 Yangarra Estate Vineyard Cadenzia McLaren Vale $20

91 Richard Hamilton Colton's Rhône Red Blend McLaren Vale $18

91 Inkwell Wild Thing Shiraz McLaren Vale $20

91 Richard Hamilton Gumprs' Shiraz McLaren Vale $18

91 Mr. Riggs The Gaffer Shiraz McLaren Vale $20

91 Loom Blewitt Springs SingleVineyard Shiraz McLaren Vale $19

91 Fox Creek Shiraz-Grenache McLaren Vale $17

90 Simon Hackett Old Vine Grenache McLaren Vale $15

90 Brick Road Shiraz McLaren Vale $20

90 Longwood The Shearer Shiraz McLaren Vale $20

90 Mitolo Jester Shiraz McLaren Vale $20

90 Final Cut Shiraz McLaren Vale $15

90 Hardys Oomoo Shiraz McLaren Vale $15

90 Chapel Hill Shiraz-Grenache McLaren Vale $18

90 Twelve Staves Shiraz-Grenache McLaren Vale $18

90 D'Arenberg The High Trellis Cabernet Sauvignon McLaren Vale $19

89 Angove's Vineyard Select Shiraz McLaren Vale $20

89 Yangarra Estate Vineyard Rosé Grenache- Shiraz McLaren Vale $12

89 Razor's Edge Cabernet Sauvignon McLaren Vale $12

89 RockBare Shiraz McLaren Vale $19

89 Sylvan Springs Hard Yards Shiraz McLaren Vale $19

89 Marquee Signature Shiraz McLaren Vale $20

89 Longwood The Shearer Shiraz McLaren Vale $18

89 Slipstream Shiraz-Grenache McLaren Vale $18

89 The Black Chook Shiraz-Viognier McLaren Vale & Langhorne Creek $18

88 Marquee Signature Shiraz McLaren Vale $20

88 Chapel Hill Cabernet Sauvignon McLaren Vale $18

88 Wayne Thomas Cabernet Sauvignon McLaren Vale $17

88 Tatachilla Cabernet Sauvignon McLaren Vale $16

88 Geoff Merrill Grenache Rose Grenache McLaren Vale $15

88 S.C. Pannell Rosé Grenache McLaren Vale $17

88 Chapel Hill Shiraz McLaren Vale $18

88 Coriole Contour 4 Sangiovese-Shiraz Red Blend McLaren Vale $16

88 Nine Stones Shiraz McLaren Vale $1288 Wayne Thomas Shiraz McLaren Vale $17

88 Marlargo Shiraz McLaren Vale $20

88 D'Arenberg The Footbolt Shiraz McLaren Vale $19

88 Hugh Hamilton The Trickster Verdelho McLaren Vale $16

88 Hugh Hamilton The Loose Cannon Viognier McLaren Vale $16

87 Coriole Redstone Cabernet Sauvignon McLaren Vale $20

87 Richard Hamilton Colton's Grenache- Shiraz McLaren Vale $20

87 Hugh Hamilton The Ratbag Merlot McLaren Vale $20

87 Coriole Chenin Blanc McLaren Vale $15

87 Penny's Hill Red Dot Shiraz McLaren Vale & Langhorne Creek $18

87 Wirra Wirra Scrubby Rise SZ-CS-PV Red Blend McLaren Vale $11

87 D'Arenberg The Stump Jump Shiraz McLaren Vale $11

87 D'Arenberg The Love Grass Shiraz McLaren Vale $19

86 Gemtree Tatty Road Bordeaux Blend McLaren Vale $19

86 Tatachilla Cabernet Sauvignon- Shiraz McLaren Vale $16

86 Hugh Hamilton The Madam Sparkling Merlot McLaren Vale $15
86 Tapestry Bakers GullyVineyard Shiraz McLaren Vale $15

86 Hugh Hamilton Jim Jim Shiraz McLaren Vale $12

86 Chapel Hill Shiraz-Grenache McLaren Vale $15

85 D'Arenberg The High Trellis Cabernet Sauvignon McLaren Vale $19

85 Tintara Cabernet Sauvignon McLaren Vale $17

85 Fox Creek Shadow's Run Shiraz-Sauvignon Cabernet McLaren Vale $17

85 Battle of Bosworth Shiraz-Viognier McLaren Vale $20


93 Slipstream Fastback Shiraz McLaren Vale $30

92 Chapel Hill The Apostle Cabernet Sauvignon McLaren Vale $30

92 Inkwell Shiraz McLaren Vale $25

91 Wayne Thomas Cabernet Sauvignon McLaren Vale $22

91 d'Arenberg d'Arry's Orignial Shiraz $22

91 Battle of Bosworth Shiraz McLaren Vale $25

91 Chapel Hill The Prophet Shiraz McLaren Vale $30

91 Yangarra Estate Vineyard Single Vineyard Roussanne McLaren Vale $24

90 Wayne Thomas Cabernet Sauvignon McLaren Vale $22

90 Kangarilla Road Cabernet Sauvignon McLaren Vale $22

90 Richard Hamilton Hut Block Cabernet Sauvignon McLaren Vale $22

90 Tapestry Cabernet Sauvignon McLaren Vale $22

90 d'Arenberg Laughing Magpie $30 *****

90 Blackbilly Shiraz McLaren Vale $21

90 Shingleback Shiraz McLaren Vale $22

90 Fox Creek Short Row Shiraz McLaren Vale $27

90 Forefathers Shiraz McLaren Vale $25

90 De Lisio Wines Quarterback Red Blend McLaren Vale $24

90 Yangarra Estate Vineyard Single Vineyard Old Vine Grenache McLaren Vale $25

90 Yangarra Estate Vineyard Old Vine Grenache McLaren Vale $25

89 Hugh Hamilton The Villain Cabernet Sauvignon McLaren Vale $25

89 Shingleback Cabernet Sauvignon McLaren Vale $22

89 Fox Creek Duet Cabernet Merlot McLaren Vale $24

89 Toa Cabernet Sauvignon McLaren Vale $25

89 Hugh Hamilton The Villain Cabernet Sauvignon McLaren Vale $24

89 Gemtree Uncut Shiraz McLaren Vale $28

89 Kangarilla Road Shiraz McLaren Vale $22

89 Wayne Thomas Shiraz McLaren Vale $2289 Toa Shiraz McLaren Vale $25

89 Aramis Shiraz McLaren Vale $22

89 Wayne Thomas Shiraz McLaren Vale $22

89 Shottesbrooke Shiraz McLaren Vale $23

89 Wirra Wirra Catapult Shiraz-Viognier McLaren Vale $24

88 Wirra Wirra Church Block Cabernet Sauvignon- Shiraz-Merlot Cabernet Blend McLaren Vale $24

88 Revolution Shiraz McLaren Vale $21

88 Oliverhill Clarendon Shiraz McLaren Vale $30

88 Hugh Hamilton The Rascal Shiraz McLaren Vale $24

88 Angove's Vineyard Select Shiraz McLaren Vale $21

88 Aurora Limited Release Shiraz McLaren Vale $25

88 RainMakers Shiraz-Grenache McLaren Vale $24

87 Wit's End Sidetrack Shiraz- Cabernet Sauvignon- Grenache Red Blend McLaren Vale $21

87 Shottesbrooke Cabernet Sauvignon McLaren Vale $23

87 Aramis Cabernet Sauvignon McLaren Vale $30

87 Richard Hamilton Lot 148 Merlot McLaren Vale $22

87 Shingleback Grenache McLaren Vale $22

87 Aramis Shiraz McLaren Vale $21

87 Nugan Family Estates McLaren Parish Vineyard Shiraz McLaren Vale $23

87 Gemtree Uncut Shiraz McLaren Vale $24

87 Forefathers Shiraz McLaren Vale $25'

86 Chateau Reynella Basket Pressed Grenache McLaren Vale $24

86 Gilligan Shiraz-Grenache- Mourvèdre G-S-M McLaren Vale $25

86 Kangarilla Road Shiraz-Viognier McLaren Vale $22 ******

85 Brick Road Nine Gums Vineyard Shiraz McLaren Vale $30

93 Two Hands Angels Share $40

92 Coriole Mary Kathleen Reserve Cabernet Merlot McLaren Vale $50

92 Mitolo G. A. M. Shiraz McLaren Vale $45

91 Oliverhill Jimmy Section Shiraz McLaren Vale $35

91 Wirra Wirra Woodhenge Shiraz McLaren Vale $34

91 Coriole The Soloist Shiraz McLaren Vale $40

91 Shottesbrooke Eliza Shiraz McLaren Vale $39

91 Shingleback D Block Reserve Shiraz McLaren Vale $50

91 Penny's Hill Shiraz McLaren Vale $35

91 Longwood Reserve Shiraz McLaren Vale $40

91 Hugh Hamilton Jekyll & Hyde Shiraz-Viognier McLaren Vale $45

90 Tapestry Fifteen Barrels Cabernet Sauvignon McLaren Vale $40

90 Tintara Reserve Grenache McLaren Vale $49

90 Tintara Reserve Shiraz McLaren Vale $49

89 Shottesbrooke The Proprietor Cabernet Blend McLaren Vale $39

89 Tapestry The Vincent Shiraz McLaren Vale $40

89 Coates Shiraz McLaren Vale $37

88 Tintara Reserve Grenache McLaren Vale $50

87 Hewitson The Mad Hatter SingleVineyard Shiraz McLaren Vale $47

86 Shottesbrooke Punch Cabernet Sauvignon McLaren Vale $39


95 d'Arenberg Dead Arm Shiraz $55****

93 Oriel Sygnet Shiraz McLaren Vale $75

93 Mitolo Savitar Shiraz McLaren Vale $59

93 Coriole Lloyd Reserve Shiraz McLaren Vale $65

92 Tyrrell's DB24 Shiraz McLaren Vale $80

92 Noon Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon McLaren Vale $55

91 Wirra Wirra RSW Shiraz McLaren Vale $54

91 Noon Reserve Shiraz McLaren Vale $55

91 Chateau Reynella Cellar No. OneReserve Shiraz McLaren Vale $65

90 Wirra Wirra RSW Shiraz McLaren Vale $60

90 Wirra Wirra Dead Ringer Cabernet Sauvignon McLaren Vale $60

90 Two Hands Lily's Garden Shiraz McLaren Vale $60

90 S.C. Pannell Shiraz McLaren Vale $55

90 Mitolo Serpico Cabernet Sauvignon McLaren Vale $57

90 Mitolo Savitar Shiraz McLaren Vale $66

90 Gibson's BarossaVale Australian Old Vine Collection Grenache McLaren Vale $100

90 D'Arenberg The Ironstone Pressings McLaren Vale $65

89 D'Arenberg The Coppermine Road Cabernet Sauvignon McLaren Vale  $65

 

 

On the Market: Mclaren Vale Wine - Whites

$10-$20

90 D'Arenberg Hermit Crab white blend '07 $19 ****

89 Wayne Thomas Elevenses Chardonnay McLaren Vale $20

89 D'Arenberg The Olive Grove Chardonnay McLaren Vale $16

89 Richard Hamilton Slate Quarry Riesling McLaren Vale $16

88 Hugh Hamilton The Scallywag Unwooded Chardonnay McLaren Vale $16

88 D'Arenberg The Noble Riesling McLaren Vale $19

87 Penny's Hill Red Dot Chardonnay- Viognier McLaren Vale $20

87 Shingleback Chardonnay McLaren Vale $18

87 Coriole Chenin Blanc McLaren Vale $16

86 Tapestry Chardonnay McLaren Vale $16

86 RockBare Chardonnay McLaren Vale $13

86 Tyrrell's Old Winery Chardonnay Hunter Valley & McLaren Vale $11

86 Kangarilla Road Chardonnay McLaren Vale $18

86 D'Arenberg The Dry Dam Riesling McLaren Vale $16

85 Hugh Hamilton Jim Jim Unoaked Chardonnay McLaren Vale $11

85 Fox Creek Shadow's Run Unwooded Chardonnay McLaren Vale $17

85 Tapestry Riesling McLaren Vale $16

85 Screwed White Semillon- Chardonnay McLaren Vale $10
85 D'Arenberg The Stump Jump White Blend McLaren Vale $10

84 White Knot Chardonnay McLaren Vale $12

84 Hardys Oomoo Unwooded Chardonnay McLaren Vale $15

83 Yangarra Estate Vineyard Single Vineyard Chardonnay McLaren Vale $13


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Image Gallery:

  • Mclaren-Vale-Wine-Country photo courtesy of Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation