James Halliday – This wine has shapeshifted nicely over the years, segueing from a fruit-forward iteration to a more streamlined, taut and spicy expression. Mid weighted, savoury and highly suggestive of the northern Rhône. Aromas of mace, clove, dill pickle, salumi and spiced cherry. Yet there is nothing hard to the tannins or too challenging for those seeking established styles. Juicy and long of flow, this makes for excellent, versatile everyday drinking. - Ned Goodwin (James Halliday Wine Companion)
The Wine Front – Biodynamic farmed from a single vineyard on the Paxton estate. Grows up in French and American oak barrels. Paxton have been a leading light in showing biodynamic (certified) viticulture can be done to scale, well.
Inky, deep, throaty red of hearty, dark fruit character, all inky cassis and choc-berry, liquid spice, fat tannins. A juicy, fleshy, plush flow of espresso tinged plummy fruit, gritty, savouriness to close. This is a big, bold red of warming character and density. Touch of warmth in the mix. It’s done pretty well for its style.
James Halliday – Biodynamic-grown fruit, open-fermented, matured in French and American barriques for 18 months. A celebrated McLaren Vale single vineyard wine, effortlessly providing a deep well of black fruits and fine-grained tannins, the oak a positive contributor, not a rabble rouser.
World Wine – Chocolate, dried plum and anise notes are juicy and bursting with blackberry accents. Balanced and smooth, especially on the finish. Drink now through 2026.
The Wine Front – Tasted this at the winery back in April, and here it is again. Good things come to those who wait, sometimes twice. Double Happiness. What I wrote back then, I’ve copied in, and elaborated on.
Asian spices, black fruits, vanilla, dark chocolate and liquorice. Full bodied, deep and savoury, an explosion of dark chocolate, black olive and soy, toasty oak in support, dense ferrous tannin, running to toothsome 85% dark chocolate on a very long finish. Big. Balanced. Beautiful. I’d roll down this Hillside any day.
The Wine Front – "Pleasing symmetry between price and vine age. This 2017 is made from 125 year old vines. 746 dozen is the total production. I’d have Block 6 in my list of the greatest Australian Shiraz. I’ll offer that 2017 was a curious vintage for McLaren Vale reds, they’re a bit different, but high quality all the same.
It’s just above medium bodied, but feels dense and compact in tannin. Blackberry, aniseed, subtle toasty oak, sage and floral perfume. It has what you might call a ‘coolness’ to it, distinct umami flavour also laden with spice. That usual ironstone and crushed rock sort of character you may find in Block 6 is there too. Finish is long, and the tannin brings it home. Wonderful character and vinous integrity. It’s a little different, yet typical."
95+ Points - Gary Walsh, The Wine Front, October 2019, Drink: 2022 - 2038+
The Wine Front – Blackberry and blueberry, spice and aniseed, a lick of vanilla. Full bodied, but kind of smooth with it, dark chocolate and black olives, balanced acidity, and deep fleshy tannin rolling onto the finish. Richness of fruit, grounded by the earthiness of Kay’s. It’s entirely convincing, and good.
James Halliday – "An incredibly dense and luxuriant palate grabs all the attention; how this has been achieved with 14% alcohol is anyone's guess, but I'm not disposed to argue, because the outcome is a totally serendipitous, supple, full-bodied shiraz replete with dark Swiss chocolate wrapped around luscious black fruits." Halliday Wine Companion '16
The Wine Front – This hits it right on with its combination of easy drinking appeal and just-firm-enough structure. Raspberry and roses, hazelnut and mint, maybe a bit of new leather. Fine balance, gentle scratch of tannin, succulent red fruit and jelly flavour, yet savoury nutty complexity too. Finish is fresh and long. Warm climate Pinot, for sure. It’s a beauty.
Robert Parker/Wine Advocate – Pale to medium ruby/purple, the Basket Pressed Grenache has intense, red currant jelly, cranberry sauce and raspberry coulis aromas with hints of Rosés, pepper and orange peel. Full-bodied, soft, rich and seductive, it finishes long and pure.
The Wine Front – Grown mostly on the Rayner vineyard in McLaren Vale. 43 year old grenache vines; 65 year old shiraz vines; mataro from nearby. Some whole bunches, mostly with the mataro. All old oak. Bottled unfined/unfiltered. Another fantastic release from Bondar. Just the right mix of structure, flavour and interest. This is a savoury, sinewy wine first and foremost though flavours of graphite, woodsmoke, black cherry and fennel mean that there’s plenty else going on. Those strains of spicy tannin though; those fistfuls of smoked twigs and spices; they really set the scene. It twirls and twists through the mouth like it’s mapping out genes. A light-but-exquisite red wine. 93 points, Campbell Mattinson, winefront.com.au
$29.22$30.68
or $27.76 in any mix of 12 bottles.
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McLaren Vale, with its picturesque landscapes and temperate climate, has long been recognized as one of Australia's premier wine-producing regions. The marriage of coastal breezes and fertile soils has given birth to wines that beautifully express the land from which they hail. Nestled between the Mount Lofty Ranges and the Gulf St Vincent, the region boasts a Mediterranean climate that fosters the growth of a diverse range of grape varieties. Beyond the well-loved Shiraz, McLaren Vale is home to an array of varietals, from the deeply aromatic Grenache to the crisp and refreshing Chardonnay. The region's commitment to sustainable viticulture further enhances its reputation, ensuring that the natural beauty and quality of McLaren Vale wines are preserved for future generations. This dedication to the craft, combined with the unique terroir, ensures that wines from this region continue to be celebrated on the global stage.
McLaren Vale is an esteemed wine-producing region located in South Australia, a short drive from the bustling city of Adelaide. It stretches between the Mount Lofty Ranges and the waters of the Gulf St Vincent, offering picturesque vistas of vine-covered rolling hills juxtaposed with the azure ocean. The proximity to the sea brings a temperate maritime climate, making it perfect for viticulture. This region is easily accessible for wine aficionados looking to explore its many renowned vineyards and cellar doors.
Indeed, wines from McLaren Vale are highly regarded in the international wine community, often praised for their complexity, richness, and character. The region has successfully merged traditional winemaking practices with innovative techniques, resulting in top-notch wines that cater to a wide range of palates. When it comes to affordability, McLaren Vale offers a spectrum. While there are premium bottles that fetch higher prices due to their excellence and rarity, numerous quality wines are available at reasonable price points, ensuring that wine enthusiasts can enjoy the flavors of McLaren Vale regardless of budget.
McLaren Vale's distinctiveness lies in its harmonious blend of climate, soil, and passionate winemaking. The Mediterranean climate, influenced by both the mountains and the sea, ensures consistent rainfall and moderated temperatures – a haven for grape cultivation. The region's diverse soils, ranging from red-brown earth to sandy loam, give the wines unique characteristics. Moreover, McLaren Vale's commitment to sustainable and organic viticulture practices highlights its dedication to quality and environmental responsibility, further enhancing its unique place in the wine world.
McLaren Vale is most renowned for its robust and flavorful Shiraz. The region's Shiraz stands out for its deep color, rich fruit flavors, and hints of chocolate and spice. While Shiraz might be the poster child, the area also produces exceptional Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Chardonnay, each carrying the unmistakable stamp of McLaren Vale terroir.
Determining the "best" wines is subjective, as individual preferences play a pivotal role. However, some consistently acclaimed wines originate from McLaren Vale. The region's Shiraz, with its full-bodied texture, opulent fruit notes, and velvety tannins, often tops the list. Premium labels and single vineyard offerings from esteemed wineries such as d'Arenberg, Wirra Wirra, and Coriole often receive accolades. Additionally, the Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon from this region, known for their complexity and depth, are also sought after by connoisseurs worldwide.
We aim to have all wines be vintage specific. In the case the listed vintage is out of stock and you note you would like that particular vintage, we will inform you via email for approval to go ahead.
Delivery Times
To be able to supply such a unique & extensive range of boutique wines, we don't hold much of the inventory. So with us, there is the added step of receiving the wine from our local suppliers before it is dispatched to you. Most orders are dispatched within 3-6 working days.
Quality Guarantee
Replacement or refund offered if bottles are faulty or damaged. All our deliveries are insured against loss, however you must notify us in a reasonable amount of time.
Sending a Gift
If you would like to include a gift message with your order, please enter that in the order instructions section. We'll print your message in a lovely font on A5 paper. We also won't include the invoice. Tracking will be sent to the email on file.
We aim to have all wines be vintage specific. In the case the listed vintage is out of stock and you note you would like that particular vintage, we will inform you via email for approval to go ahead.
To be able to supply such a unique & extensive range of boutique wines, we don't hold much of the inventory. So with us, there is the added step of receiving the wine from our local suppliers before it is dispatched to you. Most orders are dispatched within 3-6 working days.
Replacement or refund offered if bottles are faulty or damaged. All our deliveries are insured against loss, however you must notify us in a reasonable amount of time.
If you would like to include a gift message with your order, please enter that in the order instructions section. We'll print your message in a lovely font on A5 paper. We also won't include the invoice. Tracking will be sent to the email on file.