Wine Specs
Vintage
2018
Appellation
McLaren Vale
Vineyard Designation
Little Falls, McLaren Vale
Unedited Shiraz 2018
In Stock
Deep purple-red. Primary aromas of dark blackberry and plum are highlighted by nuances of heritage roses, espresso and 5 spice. The full-bodied palate overflows with earthy, dark, berry fruit. Chewy fruit tannins and mineral elements add savoury notes to this complex, single-site, estate Shiraz.
Wine Profile
Tasting Notes
Deep purple-red. Primary aromas of dark blackberry and plum are highlighted by nuances of heritage roses, espresso and 5 spice. The full-bodied palate overflows with earthy, dark, berry fruit. Chewy fruit tannins and mineral elements add savoury notes to this complex, single-site, estate Shiraz.
Awards
TROPHIES:
Orora Closures Trophy, Best 2018 or older Shiraz - 2021 Royal Adelaide Wine Show
Wine Communicators, SA Chapter, Trophy, Best Shiraz - 2021 Royal Adelaide Wine Show
Best Pre-2019 Shiraz - 2022 Winewise Championships
GOLD MEDAL:
2019 NZ International Wine Show, class 18a
2019 McLaren Vale Wine Show, class 12, (95pts)
2021 Royal Adelaide Wine Show, class 31 (97 pts)
2021 Royal Melbourne Wine Awards, class 37
2021 Great Australian Shiraz Challenge
SILVER MEDAL:
2019 National Wine Show of Australia, class 24 (91 pts)
2020 International Wine Challenge, UK (91pts)
2020 Royal Perth Wine Awards, class 27
2021 Royal Perth Wine Awards, class 28 (93 pts)
98 pts:
Winestate's World's Greatest Shiraz Challenge XVI
92 pts:
2021 Halliday Australian Wine Companion
Vineyard Notes
After a dry start to winter we had good rainfall, ending up 10% above the long term averages, flushing and filling soil profiles to saturation. Although a mid-September bud burst was later than recent vintages it was in line with long term averages. Spring rainfall was well below average, resulting in low disease pressure. Average day and night spring temperatures were close to record highs, resulting in steady vine shoot growth, catching up some ground after the later bud burst.
We had 10mm of rain on December 1st and another 15 mm on December 15th, freshening the vines during early berry development. With only 6 mm of rain in January and 5 mm in February summer rainfall ended up only two thirds of the average. Drier and warmer than average conditions continued through March and April resulting in a disease free and orderly progression to vintage, allowing time for the potential of each batch of grapes to be maximised in the winery.
Production Notes
*No animal products were used in the crafting of this wine.
Winemaker Notes
Block E Shiraz, to the east of the historic 1860’s barn on the Davey Estate, has for years provided a valuable and unique component of the Shingleback reserve wines. The block sits astride the boundary of two geologies; the southern 10% on the alluvial fan clay, sand and gravel (Christies Beach Formation) that is washed from the Willunga escarpment, and the northern 90% on grey and red calcrete mottled alluvial clay (Ngaltinga Formation). The soil transitions from red clay at the very southern end to grey-black, self-mulching clay for the majority of the block. These unusually well drained, heavy clays produce full bodied, textured, and richly flavoured Shiraz. From this superior block a small section is selected for subtle (“unedited”) crafting and maturation that pays homage to the fruit and the soil from which it comes.
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.