WIRRA WIRRA RSW SHIRAZ 2019

Gold Medal – New Zealand International Wine Show 2023 

Winery notes (2019 Vintage)
"We named this wine after Robert Strangways Wigley, a noted South Australian eccentric and state cricketer who established Wirra Wirra back in 1894. Each vintage we take pride in producing a flagship shiraz that befits McLaren Vale’s reputation as a first class producer of this varietal and home to some of the oldest shiraz vines in the world.

Full and luscious waves of fruit and spice bury the nose in a deep, dense perfume. Musky f lorals, dark plum, red berries, dark chocolate and sweet baking spice create a heady, aromatic bouquet. A vibrant and textural palate. Ribbons of blue and red berry fruit are tied to deep plums and dark chocolate. Abundant primaries and nuanced, earthy tones are wrapped together in lush velvety fruit tannins, framed and seasoned with fine grained French oak. The finish is savoury, spiced, rich and enduring.

Vineyard batches were matured separately, each in their own individual selection of French oak. The final blend comprised of approximately one third new oak, the balance coming from largely two to three-year-old barrels. Parcels from each vineyard were picked in small batches and fermented separately in two ton open fermenters to maintain their distinct vineyard character. In some, a small amount of whole bunches was included. Each batch was tasted twice daily to determine the level of hand plunging and maceration required during fermentation. At the desired level of tannin and fruit extraction, each ferment was basket pressed with winemakers making the press cut at the first sign of tannin hardness. Pressed batches were transferred to a tailored selection of French oak barriques and puncheons in which they completed malolactic fermentation. Following MLF and several times thereafter, individual wines were racked and returned. At the end of this program, select barrels from the most outstanding vineyard parcels were blended and filtered with a single pass before going to bottle."

5 Stars & 96/100 Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, July 2023 (2019 Vintage)
"Gorgeously ripe and enticing, showing black/purple berry, rich floral, toasty oak, warm spice and dark chocolate aromas, it's concentrated and plump in the mouth displaying excellent depth and richness, beautifully framed by velvety texture and rounded tannins. Mouthfilling and opulent with structure and persistency. At its best: now to 2037."

Rated Excellent & 94/100 Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front, July 2023 (2019 Vintage)
"Opaque dark purple core with a ruby pink rim leads to a concentrated and richly scented bouquet of black plums and black currants, raspberry compote, milk chocolate and baking spices of vanilla and clove. Equally impactful as the wine touches the palate with fruit then spice flavours that mirror the bouquet. Tannins are abundant and impactful, acidity adds freshness and carries the dark fruit flavours and cocoa chocolate throughout the palate. A bold expression with a lasting impression. Best drinking from 2023 through 2033+."