Australia — wine
McLaren Vale
McLaren Vale sits just 40km south of Adelaide in South Australia, where the Mount Lofty Ranges meet the Gulf St. Vincent. The Mediterranean climate — warm, dry summers moderated by afternoon sea breezes and cool nights — creates conditions that are genuinely analogous to the southern Rhône or Sardinia. McLaren Vale's Shiraz tends toward dark chocolate and mocha character rather than the Barossa's more restrained approach, while Grenache from old vine material here is gaining a world reputation. The Southern Fleurieu blends are emerging as a distinct voice in Australian wine.
Benchmark products
Vintage assessments
| Year | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 85 | Warmer finish. Classic old vine Grenache and Shiraz performance. Producers with newer plantings of Spanish and Italian varieties impressed. |
| 2022 | 87 | Wet but well-managed. Lower tannin extraction, more supple style. Mediterranean varieties (Fiano, Nero d'Avola) showed strength. |
| 2021 | 91 | Very good season. Shiraz with unusual freshness and precision. Grenache blends with lifted red fruit and fine tannin. Benchmark year. |
| 2020 | 85 | Better than neighbour Barossa. Sea influence protected from bushfire smoke. Fragrant, accessible Shiraz with good ageing potential. |
| 2019 | 79 | Severe heat wave in January. Vine stress widespread. Quality highly variable — producers with old deep-rooted vines fared better. |
| 2018 | 94 | Cool growing season for the region. Elegant Shiraz with lifted aromatics and slinky tannins. Viognier co-ferment especially successful. |
| 2017 | 87 | Warm vintage. Shiraz rich and chocolatey with McLaren Vale's signature dried herb character. Good concentration. |
| 2016 | 93 | Exceptional vintage. Sea breezes moderated heat. Old vine Shiraz of immense depth. Grenache reached its highest expression. Rare Palomino and Fiano also exceptional. |