WIRRA WIRRA RSW SHIRAZ 2020

Winery notes (2020 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.

Rolling waves of deep, glossy McLaren Vale shiraz. Fruits are scented with mulberry, dried figs, cinnamon, and clove. The swell of brooding spice, charcuterie, and rich black fruit is held in place by an undertow of fine French oak and dark chocolate. The palate contrasts ripe, generous fruit with linearity and purposeful structure. Deep satsuma plums, French polish, and vibrant acid line are signature in style. Powdery tannins leave a lengthy finesse.

Wirra Wirra sources fruit from a combination of owned vineyards and premium McLaren Vale growers. The blend of individual vineyard and sub-regional characteristics is the key to the resulting style. From a combination of old vine McLaren Vale sites – typically low in vigour, producing modest yields of intense fruit, soils range from deep sands over ironstone and loamy sand over sandstone clay. Vineyard batches were matured separately, each in their own individual selection of French oak barriques and puncheons. The final blend comprised approximately one-third new oak, the balance coming from largely two and three-year-old barriques and puncheons."

95/100 Ray Jordan, WinePilot.com, December 2023 (2020 Vintage)
"A vintage that proved quite well-suited to a more elegant and refined style of Shiraz, captured beautifully in this excellent wine. The aroma is captivating with an earthy plummy fruit interaction creating immediate appeal. Then the palate shows impeccable balance and seamless integration. The way the oak has been held back slightly has contributed to a wine that presents perfectly."

Reviews for the 2019 vintage below…

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+."