McLaren Vale: Who's top of the tree?

[ross67]

My question is in reference to MV premium level straight shiraz.

My view [although i could and probably am wrong] is McLaren Vale unlike Barossa doesn't really seem to have a standout flagship producing wine.

Australis, Dead Arm, Lloyd i dont know?
When i think of Barossa i can list many of Australia's top flight shiraz.

What are your thoughts??

ross

[AndrewCowley]

Per your profile picture, where does Coriole rate?

[ticklenow1]

Eileen Hardy is usually from McLaren Vale isn't it. I've had a few different vintages and the '94 is the pick of the ones I've had. It was my first "Wow" wine. Absolutely cracking wine.

Cheers
Ian

[ross67]

Per your profile picture, where does Coriole rate?

To be honest Andrew I don't know where it rates.
I've had some excellent Lloyd's and some ordinary ones.

I love McLaren Vale Shiraz but I think in terms of true world class Shiraz it lacks a leading icon

ross

[dave vino]

Kay Brothers Block 6 Shiraz would be up there.

[Luke W]

Really impressed last week with the premiums at Chapel Hill, Wirra Wirra, Primo and D'arenberg but found the latest Lloyd Reserve disappointing. Also not overly impressed with Kay's Hillside and they wouldn't let us try the Block 6.

[phillisc]

Ross an excellent thread and MV an old favourite that I am fast revisiting because of its great value, understated and does not have to big note itself like the Barossa.

a few in no particular order that I really enjoy:
Mitolo Savitar
Pennys Hill Footprint
Woodstock stocks
Wirra RSW and Chook block
Kays Block 6
Fox creek reserve
Eileen hardy
Tatachilla foundation when it used to be made
d'arry's dead arm
Noons reserve
Lloyd

and funnily enough had a 2010 Walter Clappis (from Ingoldby fame) Hedonist shiraz, an absolute fruit bomb, but a cracker of a rich plummy balanced red oh so easy to drink.

Cheers Craig.

[Polymer]

It isn't very popular in Australia but I'd probably say Mollydooker Velvet Glove...as far as what gets good press and sells for quite a bit...

Either that or Dead Arm...which has been consistently very good and gets a good amount of attention both in Australia and overseas...

[griff]

Noon reserve is langhorne ctreek or has that changed?

[ross67]

Yes, Ian I'd forgotten about Eileen Hardy. I have only tried the one vintage and the bottle was not showing in its best state at the time.

Dave i certainly think Block 6 is right up there you are right. Have had quite a few very good experiences with this wine. '98 and 05 from memory.

Australis perplexes me. It seems to just fly under the radar continually. Why? It's expensive, seems to [according to JO] never produce a bad wine in fact always produces a world class wine year in year out. No one ever seems to talk about it in our country's best and most consistent producing shiraz.

Love the style of Fox Creek Reserve when its on song.
Never tried a Noon Reserve...perhaps one day.
Is Dead Arm up there with Block 6??

ross

[phillisc]

Noon reserve is langhorne ctreek or has that changed?

Yes sorry about that you are right

[Mahmoud Ali]

According to Langtons the Eileen Hardy was a multi-regional blend that at some point was also a cabernet blend before settling down to being an entirely McLaren Vale wine. I've only had the '90 vintage and it's still isn't fully mature judging by the bottle I had sometime last year.

Langton's rates the Austrlis a top tier 'Exceptional' followed by the 'Outstanding' Dead Arm and Eileen Hardy. In the third tier 'Excellent' are the Coriole Lloyd and Fox Creek Reserve.

Cheers......................Mahmoud.

[BlaCkAdDa]

When I think McLaren Shiraz I immediately think Dead Arm.

also agree with Eileen Hardy and Wirra Wirra RSW.

Chapel hill, The Vicar would have to be getting close too

I never really thought of Clarendon Hills as McLaren Vale but I guess Australis would have to be up there ... though I've never tried it.

[BlaCkAdDa]

Oh add Tatachilla Foundation to that list too.