![Shingleback Local Heroes Shiraz Grenache 2016](/assets/images/products/pictures/JS02349-004ShinglebackLocalHeroes750mlbottle-devintaged_clipped_rev_1.png)
Wine Specs
Vintage
2016
Varietal
52% Shiraz 48% Grenache
Appellation
McLaren Vale
Vineyard Designation
Little Falls, McLaren Vale
pH
3.66
Residual Sugar
5.7
Alcohol %
14.7
Shingleback Local Heroes Shiraz Grenache 2016
Museum
In Stock
Winter in 2015 was relatively dry and although totals ended up near normal, there were few heavy soaking rains. Spring was exceptionally dry, resulting in low disease pressure but requiring early irrigation to ensure balanced canopies. October and December were hot and November warm and ideal for flowering and fruit set. Crop levels were the best for several years but generally just a return to more balanced and sustainable levels. An early bud burst and the dry warm conditions always meant vintage was going to be early. Even with bigger crops vintage started around the same time as 2015’s record early start.
Wine Profile
Tasting Notes
Vibrant purple-red. The Shiraz, grown on loamy clay, contributes blackberry, mulberry and spice to the blend, whilst the hand-picked, old bush vine Grenache (grown on deep sand over clay) adds a potpourri of perfumed roses and savoury notes. Small batch open fermentation and maturation in older oak ensures the proven synergy of these two, equally matched, McLaren Vale Local Heroes.
Awards
Silver medal:
2021 Royal Hobart Wine Show, class 27
Bronze medal:
2021 Royal Queensland Wine Show, class 46
2021 Perth Royal Wine Awards, class 29
2021 Sydney Royal Wine Show, class 40
91 pts - 2022 Halliday Wine Companion
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
aected 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 unaected 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.
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.