
Shiraz, McLaren Vale
Shiraz is a red grape variety. It is the most widely planted variety in Australia and helped put it on the wine map. It is an adaptable grape that has distinctly regional characteristics from elegant, peppery cool climate styles to sweet and chocolatey (McLaren Vale), muscular, and ripe-fruited (Barossa), to savoury and rich (Hunter Valley). Shiraz was one of the first vine varieties to arrive in Australia in 1832 and is grown in most regions. However, its home is in the Barossa Valley where old vines date back to the 1860s.
The classic, truly Australian blend is Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, but it is also blended with Grenache and Mourvedre (GSM) in warmer climates. In recent years it is increasingly being blended with Viognier to create the Shiraz/Viognier blend.
Shiraz's home is in the Northern Rhône's, Hermitage, Cote Rôtie and Cornas, in France. It is now also grown extensively in the Southern Rhône where it is blended with Grenache and Mourvèdre to produce the great red wines of Châteauneuf du Pape and Gigondas amongst others.
The McLaren Vale wine region is located less than an hours drive south of Adelaide, straight down the picturesque coastline.
Shiraz is by far the most widely planted variety, and the most important variety for the region, accounting for about 50% of the total crush. Every winery in the region will likely be producing at least one or more Shiraz wines, and with the wide range of unique terroirs available, each influenced by the maritime climate in unique ways, each Shiraz will have its own regional nuances.
Shiraz produced in McLaren Vale will often exhibit chocolate and coffee notes, with a little less pepper than those from Barossa Valley, and are often blended with Grenache. Other red varieties grown include Cabernet Sauvignon (and Merlot blends) Sangiovese, Tempranillo, Petit Verdot, Tannat and Zinfandel. The main white variety would be Chardonnay, however Sémillon and it's common blending partner Sauvignon Blanc are made, alongside lesser amounts of Riesling, Pronto Bianco, Vermentino and Fiano.
If you plan to visit McLaren Vale there are over 65 cellar doors so you'll be spoiled for choice, ranging from the small-boutique wineries to very large wineries. The drive from McLaren Vale up to the Barossa Valley is very scenic, passing over the rolling Adelaide Hills, and though the quaint German-settled town of Hahndorf.
The classic, truly Australian blend is Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, but it is also blended with Grenache and Mourvedre (GSM) in warmer climates. In recent years it is increasingly being blended with Viognier to create the Shiraz/Viognier blend.
Shiraz's home is in the Northern Rhône's, Hermitage, Cote Rôtie and Cornas, in France. It is now also grown extensively in the Southern Rhône where it is blended with Grenache and Mourvèdre to produce the great red wines of Châteauneuf du Pape and Gigondas amongst others.
The McLaren Vale wine region is located less than an hours drive south of Adelaide, straight down the picturesque coastline.
Shiraz is by far the most widely planted variety, and the most important variety for the region, accounting for about 50% of the total crush. Every winery in the region will likely be producing at least one or more Shiraz wines, and with the wide range of unique terroirs available, each influenced by the maritime climate in unique ways, each Shiraz will have its own regional nuances.
Shiraz produced in McLaren Vale will often exhibit chocolate and coffee notes, with a little less pepper than those from Barossa Valley, and are often blended with Grenache. Other red varieties grown include Cabernet Sauvignon (and Merlot blends) Sangiovese, Tempranillo, Petit Verdot, Tannat and Zinfandel. The main white variety would be Chardonnay, however Sémillon and it's common blending partner Sauvignon Blanc are made, alongside lesser amounts of Riesling, Pronto Bianco, Vermentino and Fiano.
If you plan to visit McLaren Vale there are over 65 cellar doors so you'll be spoiled for choice, ranging from the small-boutique wineries to very large wineries. The drive from McLaren Vale up to the Barossa Valley is very scenic, passing over the rolling Adelaide Hills, and though the quaint German-settled town of Hahndorf.
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- The value this wine delivers for the money is incredible. The wine starts out with a deep ruby colour. On the nose, the wine is full of cherry and blackberry fruits, which continue on the palate. What sets this Shiraz ... Learn MoreD'Arenberg The Stump Jump Shiraz 2017$12.99 Per item
- Located at the southern end of McLaren Vale, the soil here is heavy grey loam mixed with black Biscay clay and sits above ancient Ngaltinga formation bedrock. The fruit is crushed immediately upon arrival at the winery, the skins and ... Learn MoreMitolo Jester Shiraz 2019$21.99 Per item
- Coriole is still family owned and operated, with some vines dating back to 1919. Their wines offer great value for money at each price point. The Redstone Shiraz was produced off three vineyards in the McLaren Vale and made to be ... Learn MoreCoriole Redstone Shiraz 2019$21.99 Per item
- Made exclusively for United Cellars by Yangarra Estate using barrel selected fruit. Aromas of dark fruit aromas, along with blueberries, dark chocolate and some floral notes. A medium-full bodied palate packed with juicy black fruit, hints of licorice and dark ... Learn More
- Selected from parcels of fruit that make fragrant and juicy wines, Bloodstone is a pure and velvety Shiraz evoking ripe red cherries and blackcurrants. Cellar now — 2023-2025 ... Learn MoreGemtree Bloodstone Mclaren Vale Shiraz 2019$25.00 Per item
- Named after the original owners' Spartan origins, this is the only Coriole site facing due north. A vivid dark ruby, this is a richer expression and yet still relatively light on its feet. Floral and lifted upon entry. A dense ... Learn MoreCoriole Sparta Shiraz 2018$25.00 Per item
- Our Sparta vineyard was planted aoround 25 years ago on a north facing hillside on the western boundary of our property. The style is bright, rich and full bodied. A vivid dark ruby, this is a richer expression and yet still ... Learn MoreCoriole Sparta Shiraz 2020$25.99 Per item
- Uncut is the first wine Gemtree made, a distinctive McLaren Vale Shiraz. It is generous, layered, bright and textural. Cellar now — 2024-2029. ... Learn MoreGemtree Uncut Mclaren Vale Shiraz 2018$26.00 Per item
- WHO IS THE BOXER? 'Mollydooker' is old Aussie slang for a left handed boxer and our Boxer always punches well above its Fruit Weight™. Did you notice he has two left-handed gloves? TASTING NOTES: This alluring and unashamedly bold Shiraz ... Learn MoreMollydooker The Boxer Shiraz 2020$26.99 Per item
- We hand picked each parcel to preserve freshness & vibrancy, keeping 10% as whole bunches, & gently destemming the balance to preserve whole berries, we allowed it to cold soak for 3 days to capture aromatics. Fermentation commenced naturally, it was hand plunged & tasted ... Learn MoreMinistry Of Clouds Mclaren Vale Shiraz 2021$29.90 Per item
- "Shiraz from our estate vineyard adopts more of a cooler climate expression than the typical McLaren Vale style thanks to the vineyard’s elevation and cooling night breezes from the nearby Southern Lofty Ranges, but retains concentration and complexity." - ... Learn MoreYangarra Estate Shiraz 2019$29.99 Per item
- "The PF Shiraz is made from grapes grown on our certified biodynamic single-estate vineyard, grown without herbicides, fungicides or synthetic chemicals. It is made without additions of any kind: sulphur (preservative), acid, tannin or finings. It's intense, dark and perhaps ... Learn MoreYangarra 'PF' Shiraz 2021$29.99 Per item
- The first Coriole Shiraz was bottled in 1970. Coriole Shiraz is 100% Estate grown with the majority of vines approximately 40 years old. A bright, lifted nose with plum, dark cherry and spice. The palate is medium to full bodied with red fruits, ... Learn MoreCoriole Estate Shiraz 2019$30.99 Per item
- Located at the southern end of McLaren Vale, the soil here is heavy grey loam mixed with black Biscay clay and sits above ancient Ngaltinga formation bedrock. The wine was kept in a combination of new (~10%) and one and two-year-old ... Learn MoreMitolo Angela Shiraz 2018$32.99 Per item
- Tendance Shiraz 2019 is the workhorse of McLaren Vale - Shiraz. Tending more Rhone in style, Rob seeks out elegance, aromatics, spice and savouriness. Totally opaque black dark purple core with a dark purple hue. Fragrant crushed ripe blackberry, dark plum ... Learn MoreAphelion The Tendance Shiraz 2017$33.99 Per item
- Tendance Shiraz 2018 is our Aphelion take on the workhorse of McLaren Vale - Shiraz. Tending more Rhone in style, Rob seeks out elegance, aromatics, spice and savouriness. Variety: Shiraz from two bordering vineyards on McMurtrie Road in the heart of ... Learn MoreAphelion 'Tendance' Shiraz 2018$33.99 Per item
- WINERY TASTING NOTES Notes Image Ripe plums and blackberry fruit with coconut vanillin carries through to the full, rounded palate that finishes with firm tannin. ... Learn MoreMaglieri 'Steve Maglieri' Shiraz 1997$35.00 Per item
- The first release and named for the original owners of our Olivers Road vineyard. The Merrivale block is the last Shiraz left standing on the vineyard. It was planted in 1970 with an east/west orientation, a prescient choice given the ... Learn MoreSc Pannell 'Merrivale' Shiraz 2019$39.00 Per item
- ACCOLADES; 97 Points, Sam Kim 95 Points, James Halliday Drawing on Shiraz plantings from the 1950s this is a small batch wine (release is about 600 dozen) made to honour some of Australia's older Shiraz traditions bowing only slightly to modern trends. It ... Learn MoreSecret Deal Mclaren Vale Shiraz 2018$41.99 Per item
- The Ancestor shiraz fruit was hand picked from 80 year old vines, gently destemmed & cold soaked on skins for 14 days, fermented slowly for a further 14 days. Giving time to allow slow extraction of colour & silky tannins. This extra time allows the ... Learn MoreSecret Deal McLaren Vale Shiraz 2018$44.99 Per item
- 6 Bottle of goodness direct from a private seller ... Learn MoreSoul Growers Shiraz 2005$49.01 Per item
- Sourced exclusively from Block 12 (2.3 ha) which sits on an east facing, ironstone sandy outcrop. Hand-picked, 20% whole bunches and 30% mechanical berry sorted. 50% crushed in open fermenters and on skins for 15 days and plunged. Wild yeast fermented. No pressings are used in ... Learn MoreYangarra King's Wood Shiraz 2020$59.99 Per item
- So, sadly, the last release of Marius for all of us, a great endeavour of labour, and passion, that put a smile on the face of so many. Well done Roger Pike. A swansong, and a great legacy of superb, ... Learn MoreMarius Simpatico Shiraz 2019$60.01 Per item
- Wirra Wirra RSW expresses the terroir shown by top-notch McLaren Vale Shiraz for generations. It smells of bitter chocolate, blackberry liqueur, sweet currants, exotic spices and perfectly integrated oak. It is medium to full-bodied, yet it has seamless elegance, with ... Learn MoreWirra Wirra RSW Shiraz 1997$62.00 Per item
- The fruit was hand harvested on 11th March, crushed and sent to fermentation with 16% whole bunch. It spent a total of 10 days on skins in open top fermenters with gentle pumpovers beforebeing pressed off with hard pressings removed. It was ... Learn MoreKoomilya Shiraz 2017$69.99 Per item
- 2018 Brooks Road exhibits the compelling dynamic between savoury and fruit flavors which is textbook Shiraz from Clarendon. Sweet blueberry and rich red fruits interlace with notes of clove and menthol. The palate is expansive but pure finesses with a beautifully ... Learn MoreHickinbotham Brooks Rd Shiraz 2018$72.99 Per item
- The d'Arenberg Dead Arm Shiraz 2017 is one of the most intensely fruited releases of this legendary McLaren Vale label in the last 21+ years. The term Dead Arm refers to a vine disease caused by the fungus Eutypa Lata that randomly ... Learn MoreDÁrenberg The Dead Arm Shiraz 2017$75.00 Per item
- 2019 Brooks Road exhibits the compelling dynamic between savoury and fruit flavors which is textbook Shiraz from Clarendon. Sweet blueberry and rich red fruits interlace with notes of clove and menthol. The palate is expansive but pure finesses with a beautifully ... Learn MoreHickinbotham Brooks Road Shiraz 2019$75.00 Per item
- Highly Collected wine from one of the leading producers of McLaren Vale. Fruit for Savitar is fermented on skins for fifteen days, ensuring a tighter overall structure setting up the framework for a wine built for ageing. Immense lift, the ... Learn MoreMitolo 'Savitar' Shiraz 2017$77.90 Per item
- Grown on a block planted in 1971 and aged for 15 months in French oak. This is the most finely-structured and elegant of our three vintages of Hickinbotham Vineyard Shiraz. "whiffs of dried fruit, smoked almonds, red berries, plum, sniff of cherry ... Learn More
- "This vineyard was planted pre-1919 at the bottom of the hill side at Coriole. This is a very exciting release and one of the most complete and composed wines ever from this vineyard. Yields were low in 2018 and our total ... Learn MoreCoriole Lloyd Reserve Shiraz 2018$99.99 Per item
- This two acre vineyard was planted in 1920 in the foothills of Willunga. The soils are deep, gravelly loams and this block always show great old vine complexity with a suppleness of Willunga soils. A very different wine to those produced ... Learn MoreCoriole Willunga 1920 Shiraz 2018$101.99 Per item
- This vintage celebrates the merger of Thomas Hardy and the Berri Renmano group, which led to a decade of prosperity. Gold Medal - Royal Melbourne Wine Show 1994 Gold Medal - Hobart Wine Show 1994 ... Learn MoreHardys 'Eileen Hardy' Shiraz 1997$110.00 Per item
- The name Ironheart speaks to the reddish ironstone gravel soil and represents the most eloquent expression of Shiraz from our unique estate. This wine aspires to be a powerhouse, yet showcasing perfume and an elegant side to its dense sanguine ... Learn MoreYangarra Ironheart Shiraz 2019$120.00 Per item
- Remarkable poise for such a young wine, dark fruits, blood and ironstone all meld seamlessly. - Stuart Knox This is the inaugural release of the King's Wood Shiraz and it is exceptional. Aromas of red fruit, boysenberry, plums with notes ... Learn MoreYangarra King's Wood Shiraz 2019 1.5L Magnum$120.00 Per item
- Remarkable poise for such a young wine, dark fruits, blood and ironstone all meld seamlessly. - Stuart Knox This is the inaugural release of the King's Wood Shiraz and it is exceptional. Aromas of red fruit, boysenberry, plums with notes ... Learn MoreYangarra King's Wood Shiraz 2020 1.5L Magnum$140.00 Per item
- This vintage celebrates the merger of Thomas Hardy and the Berri Renmano group, which led to a decade of prosperity. Gold Medal - Royal Melbourne Wine Show 1994 Gold Medal - Hobart Wine Show 1994 ... Learn MoreHardys 'Eileen Hardy' Shiraz 1998$150.00 Per item
- Located at the southern end of McLaren Vale, the soil here is heavy grey loam mixed with black Biscay clay and sits above ancient Ngaltinga formation bedrock. A careful selection of the finest parcels of Shiraz from the winery's most ... Learn MoreMitolo Marsican Shiraz 2015$234.99 Per item
- The name Ironheart speaks to the reddish ironstone gravel soil and represents the most eloquent expression of Shiraz from our unique estate. This wine aspires to be a powerhouse, yet showcasing perfume and an elegant side to its dense sanguine ... Learn MoreYangarra Ironheart Shiraz 2019 (1.5L Magnum)$265.00 Per item
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Located 35 kilometers south of Adelaide, the seaside winemaking town of McLaren Vale is considered the birthplace of wine in South Australia. The region’s first settlers came from England in 1838, and quickly recognized the farming potential of McLaren Vale’ ... Learn More