Chapel Hill ‘McLaren Vale’ Shiraz 2020
Grape Varietal: 100% Shiraz
Growing Region: McLaren Vale - South Australia
Chief & Senior Winemaker: Michael Fragos & Bryn Richards
The Chapel Hill winery is built on the hilltop site of the historic Seaview Chapel. The original Chapel was built in 1865 and is now their charming tasting room. The estates first vines were planted in 1972, with the first vintage in 1975. The winery and character filled wines are under the guidance of winemakers Michael Fragos and Bryn Richards. Where they produce handcrafted wines with varietal purity, a sense of place, elegance and character.
The fruit for this Shiraz was sourced from vines all grown on their own roots and aged from 14 - 38 years. As the various vineyard parcels came into the winery, they were separately open fermented to ensure that each parcel retained the unique character of each site. All the ferments remained on skins for a minimum of 8 days and then were gently basket-pressed, where the free run and pressing fractions were combined.
The wine was matured in a mixture of aged fine-grained French oak (Hogshead 300L) barrels for around 20 months, and individual batches of barrels were racked and returned periodically to seamlessly integrate the tannins into the wines structure. The wine was clarified naturally and bottled unfiltered, so will develop a fine sediment.
★ You will be greeted by a rich red colour with a purple shining hue. On the inviting nose you have mixed dark berries, brambles, fresh spices and a dried herb undertone. These dynamic characters develop into a breadth of textural flavours that engage the palate showcasing wild berries, cassis, star anise, subtle tobacco, earthy notes and a seam of cacao, along with integrated silky tannins and refined oak wrapping everything up seamlessly for a rewarding finish.
This 2020 Chapel Hill ‘McLaren Vale’ Shiraz has 14.5% Alc./vol. Classic dry style. Mild decanting of around 25-30 minutes and serve in a generously shaped wine glass at 17°- 18°C. *NZ$36.99
CELLARING POTENTIAL: *(Review 5/8/22)
With mild decanting drinking now, plus will age well for another 7 - 8 years.
FOOD PAIRING SUGGESTIONS:
Perfect wine pairing with slowed cooked lamb shanks on a truffle mash, mild game dishes served with a wine jus, nicely seasoned pasta dishes and pizza’s, varied kebabs, earthy vegetarian cuisine and aged hard cheeses - enjoy.