A recent Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate review highlight by Joe Czerwinski describes this prized Southeastern Australia landmark best; “Chapel Hill is located 190 meters above sea level on the site of the Seaview chapel and schoolhouse. The original 1865 chapel is now part of the cellar door… the winery remains a classic source for McLaren Vale wines.” We could not agree more and must emphasize that this is our 6th big hit from Chapel Hill over the years. This esteemed winery and its transparent wines never cease to amaze us with affordability and deliciousness.

A black and purple-colored beauty, all-pervading with glass-staining ruby legs. The exotically perfumed bouquet evokes crème de cassis and smoky Asian spices, while the deep but lively palate offers superb precision, copious blackberry, licorice, and savory game. An energizing mineral streak freshens the impressively long finish with cracked pepper. This Shiraz is calling for a stew with lamb, game or vegetables, jazzed up with mysterious spices.

Contrary to some of the flashier, bordering overripe renditions of McLaren Vale Shiraz, this pedigreed red has built-in Old World classicism that sets it apart as a complex wine with just the right amount of age to enjoy now after decanting. It will continue to provide hedonistic pleasure for decades to come. If you buy more than a few bottles we encourage you to explore the wonders further aging will bring. With a roaring 95 point score from Australia’s top wine critic and at this rock bottom price for such a classy red, there is no reason to hesitate to secure as much as you can before it sells out.

Here’s what the wine press has to say:

95 points - James Halliday - “Dense, inky purple-crimson; absolutely achieves expressing ‘a profound sense of place’; unctuous black fruits swathed in dark chocolate drive the bouquet and medium to full-bodied palate with relentless precision, yet keep balance and length. Oak and tannins are part of the package, but you sense them, rather than feel their impact. Carries its ripeness with ease. Cellar to 2034.”

92+ points - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate - “Chapel Hill is located 190 meters above sea level on the site of the Seaview chapel and schoolhouse. The original 1865 chapel is now part of the cellar door… the winery remains a classic source for McLaren Vale wines. Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2014 Shiraz gives an earthy, meaty, savory nose of fertile soil, moss-covered bark, yeast extract and peppercorns over a youthful core of mulberries and blackberries, plus a hint of dried herbs. The medium to full-bodied palate is nicely poised with the lively black fruits supported by very finely grained tannins and just enough savory and earthy character to give interest, finishing with excellent persistence. A very impressive showing for Chapel Hill!”