Winemakers Comments

McLaren Vale is justifiably internationally recognized as one of the most acclaimed and revered Shiraz producing regions. McLaren Vale Shiraz is resplendently opulent and seductive which a mouthfeel that treads with a unique combination of power and grace.

The 2010 vintage growing season commenced early due to warmer than average winter temperatures. Average rainfall also meant that many soils reached field capacity for the first time in three years. This provided the vines with sufficient moisture to support spring growth and to establish the required canopies. The weather during the vintage period was extremely favourable, with ripening occurring in an orderly and gradual manner.

The grapes were sourced from vines (all grown on their own roots) aged between seventeen and thirty seven years. The various vineyard parcels were harvested and open fermented separately to ensure that each parcel articulates the unique character of each vineyard site. All ferments were maintained on skins for a minimum of 8 days and then gently basket pressed, following which the free run and pressing fractions were combined.

During the subsequent twenty month maturation in fine grained French oak barrels each individual batch of barrels was racked and returned periodically to seamlessly integrate the tannins into the structure of the wine. To preserve varietal and site purity, the wine is unfined, doesn’t have any tannin additions and is bottled unfiltered.

The 2010 McLaren Vale Shiraz displays hedonistic blueberry, pimento and liquorice flavours. The harmonious integration and balance of these fruit flavours is further enhanced by the defiantly persistent and mouth filling savoury, yet firm, tannin structure.

Variety

100% Shiraz

Appellation

100% McLaren Vale

Harvest date

16th February to 26th February 2010

Barrel ageing

Matured for 20 months in 300 L oak hogsheads, of which 96% was French and 4% American.

Oak age

22% new, 5% one year old, 31% two year old, 24% three year old and 18% four year old

Acidity

6.1 g/L

pH

3.65

Alcohol

14.5%

Residual sugar

1.67 g/L

Bottling date

22nd November 2011

Release date

July 2012

Winemakers

Michael Fragos and Bryn Richards

Viticulturist

Rachel Steer

Press and Accolades

“Chapel Hill has elevated itself one plane closer to the gods with one of the most profound $30 shirazes I’ve tasted in a long time. A monumental testament to the incredible 2010 season, this wine will age magnificently and shows every sign of going down as the finest Chapel Hill McLaren Vale Shiraz yet. It’s all black, from its extremely dark, vibrant purple hue to the characteristic black plum and black olive aromas of McLaren Vale shiraz, even alluring nuances of game, charcuterie and coal steam. The palate presents remarkable depth of black fruits, liquorice and layers of character at a level rarely witnessed outside McLaren Vale’s most revered prestige cuvees. This grand parade of black is something to behold, yet never brash or loud, always precise and lively, intricately framed in a deep-set, rigid chassis of firm, finely poised tannins.” – 96 Points Tyson Stelzer

“Dark colour, with a densely packed bouquet of black fruits, bitter chocolate, fruitcake and blackberry all in balance with well-handled oak; the palate is concentrated and fresh, medium-bodied and generous; approachable as a young wine, with plenty of time in the tank.” – 94 Points Ben Edwards for James Hallidays Wine Companion