Wine Specs
Vintage
2003
Varietal
100% Shiraz
Appellation
McLaren Vale
Vineyard Designation
Little Falls, McLaren Vale
pH
3.74
Residual Sugar
6.1
Alcohol %
14.9
Shingleback D Block Shiraz Magnum 2003
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Low winter rainfall and a dry spring reduced yields and provided concentrated small berry fruit. The vineyard team's dedicated attention to detail and perfectly timed supplementary irrigation assisted the struggling vines to produce fruit with outstanding colour and depth of flavour.
Dense, deep red in colour. Primary aromas of ripe mulberry, blackberry and dark cherry are highlighted by a bouquet of fresh cocoa and dark roasted coffee bean. The rich, full mid-palate is a luscious compote of ripe summer berries, enlivened with a fresh acidity. Structured, yet elegant with seamless lingering sweet fruit and fine grained American and French oak. A rich, powerful wine that will improve with age for many years to come.
Wine Profile
Tasting Notes
Deep black cherry in colour. The cherry and blackberry primary aromas are
highlighted with hints of mocha, freshly turned earth and cedar. Flavours of
blackberry conserve, blueberry and violet, along with mineral elements and
nuances of oak, flow through the finely textured palate.
Vineyard Notes
Despite a very dry August a wet July in 2019 brought winter rainfall (233mm) close to the average.
The relatively cool winter resulted in mid-September budburst, more in line with long term
averages. Good rainfall in September was followed by a dry October and November.
A record hot spring day on 20th of November (39.9 C) followed by several days of very high winds
a ected cultivars flowering at the time, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, reducing berry set. Hotter
than average spring temperatures along with a very hot December and high evaporation meant
strategic and timely early irrigation was critical in setting up vine growth and maximizing fruit
quality. The upside of these conditions was very low levels of pest and disease.
McLaren Vale was fortunate to be una ected by the devastating fires across many regions.
The season turned on the 4th of January and the following months were cooler than average.
A timely rain in early February revived vines without causing berry splitting.
Harvest started mid-February with Pinot Noir for Rosé. Chardonnay and Fiano were picked by the
end of the month. Starting with Tempranillo and Shiraz, reds were picked from the end of February
to the end of March. Cool conditions allowed a steady and calm progression through harvest
despite the challenges of Covid 19 restrictions.
Our reliable region and resources, including our very talented vineyard and winery teams, have
resulted in 2020 Shingleback wines of excellent quality and generally only slightly lower quantity.
Production Notes
*No animal products were used in the crafting of this wine.
Winemaker Notes
Only select parcels of Shiraz grown on both red & black soils over limestone on the Davey Estate vineyard are chosen for this wine. The wine is handcrafted in small open & static fermenters to maximise the potential of each small parcel of fruit. Maturation for an average of 12 months in new to 6 year old fine-grained American (50%) and French (50%) oak hogsheads softens, enhances & integrates the fruit & structural components of the wine.Only select parcels of Shiraz grown on both red & black soils over limestone on the Davey Estate vineyard are chosen for this wine. The wine is handcrafted in small open & static fermenters to maximise the potential of each small parcel of fruit. Maturation for an average of 12 months in new to 6 year old fine-grained American (50%) and French (50%) oak hogsheads softens, enhances & integrates the fruit & structural components of the wine.
Other Notes
The region has a Mediterranean climate with wet winters, dry summers and plenty of sunshine.
The proximity to St Vincent Gulf, coincidentally named after the patron saint of winemakers,
benefits fruit quality with warmer spring and autumn conditions and cooler summers.
McLaren Vale is renowned as a premium wine region of great beauty that consistently produces
high quality, richly flavoured wines.