Awards
Gold Medal – CWSA (China Wine & Spirits Awards) – Best Value 2024
Gold Medal 96pts – 5 stars – Wine Showcase Magazine 2023
Gold Medal – 5 Stars (97pts) – Sam Kim, Wine Orbit 2024
Name
With our love for the ocean and the stunning coastline on the cusp of McLaren Vale being the reason for calling this fantastic little town home, it made sense to name our Reserve Shiraz in honour of this. The Squid Ink name originated from the enticing first impression of the black, dye like depth of colour this wine resonates.
Vineyard
This Estate owned vineyard is the epitome of what defines one of the greatest vineyards in Australia where the famous Black Bay of Biscay Clay soil consistently ensures fantastic depth of colour and flavour. Positioned at about 120m above sea level and 8kms inland this North/ South facing vineyard in the heart of McLaren Vale is referred to by some local friends as ‘Mayfair’. Implementing sustainable viticulture and having true respect for the value of our vineyards and the fruit they create. The 2021 vintage delivered a respectable crop size and exemplary quality in our Shiraz blocks. With near perfect ripening conditions with mild temperature and cool nights the vines thrived.
Winery
In the winery the Squid Ink Shiraz fruit is treated with utmost respect, ensuring quality from start to finish. In open ferments the fruit has a 2-day cold soak prior to slow, cool (18 degree) fermentation for gentle extraction of colour, flavour and tannin into the wine. Following fermentation, the wine is then matured in the finest predominately new American oak barrels for 18 months.
Awards
Gold Medal – 5 stars – Wine Showcase Magazine 2023
Winemaker
Campbell Greer.
Vintage
2022
Variety
Shiraz 100%
Maturation
18 Months in American Oak Hogsheads, 55% new oak, 45% older oak.
Region
McLaren Vale 100%
Alcohol
14.5%
Colour: Deep intense dark, almost black with the classic purple Squid ink hue.
Nose: An abundance of blackberry and blueberry wrapped in a depth of savoury and dried herb complexity.
Palate: Concentrated, purposeful, and multi-dimensional. The texturally composed tannins complement every aspect that the depth of fruit deserves with an equal amount of savoury complexity that will keep you going back for more.
This wine, like our lives, is wonderful in youth, but with patience and development of the wines fruit, along with the integration of the finest of oak this wine will also age wonderfully and reward those that wait.
Potential: 10+ years.
Peter Shiels –
Tasted 20.12.23 on day of delivery.
Dark with an almost luminous purple rim. Aromas of a dark berry compote being poured over an exotic Xmas pudding.
A lovely mouthfeel. Kitchen herbs and spices add another dimension to the blackberries giving a great depth of flavour.
Silky tannins give the wine great depth. Such a long, smooth finish with all parts in great harmony for such a young, powerful wine. At the very finish there’s a reminder of the beautiful fruit and just a hint of aniseed.
I only bought one……
lodell –
Thanks so much for the review Peter!