The Auswine Forum

I've been quite disappointed with many McLaren Vale reds of late - most showing a distinct lack of complexity, or being over-ripe/overworked. I actually used to be an advocate of the area, but find myself buying less and less, and recently nil.

Of late I can say that I've only really enjoyed the following:
- Primo Estate Joseph moda amarone
- Primo Estate Joseph sparkling
- Stonyfell Metala Old Plantings (the black label - which is actually Langhorne Ck)
- Some Clarendon Hills grenache and shiraz
- enjoyed the Pirramimma Reserve '96, but suspect that it might not ring my bell nowadays.

And this in a line up of recent drinks like the Eileen Hardy '96, the Dead Arm '98, the Lake Breeze Winemaker's reserve cabernet '98, Henry's Drive, and the two Noon Reserves...

In fact, I'm starting to think that the (red) varietal that McLaren Vale does best is grenache!

I will also say that I have previously enjoyed a '94 Chapel Hill Vicar, and '94 Chapel Hill cabernet sauvignon, but I believe these contain some Coonawarra cabernet - correct me if I'm wrong. And no, I don't think it's just because these were aged examples, that the wines above need time.

Does anyone have any comments on the state of McLaren Vale reds of late?

Simon,

BTW the Henry's Drive is fr Pathaway.
As for McLaren, I found their wines more consistent than the Barossa with lesser degree of vintage variation. My fav. wineries is the D'arenberg & Fox Creek, simply love their entire portfolio. Easilly accessible unlike the Kays icon label.
Arakoon Doyen is fantastic but can't said the same for the rest of the labels.
Wineries that has been underperform of late r Woodstock & Hasselgrove.
Another small winery to lookout for ChalkHill.

For me Clarendon Hill has never lived up to it's hype. Those punters r contributing towards Mr.Roman's passion for his collection of Porsches.

This yr 2 of my fav. wine sub-30s r fr the Vales - Wirra2 McLaren Shiraz'01 & Laughing Magpie'02.

Cheers,
MC

MC,

You may in fact have me there with some of those producers.

I don't buy Fox Ck (price) or d'Arenberg (don't really do it for me anymore, though I have enjoyed the Ironstone Pressings with its grenache content) anymore, however I do have Kays and Arakoon in the cellar awaiting trial. I have previously enjoyed a Kays (regular) shiraz, and I have bought the Block 6 for some time on spec, to be drunk with some cellaring on it.

I am yet to confirm JO's comments re changes to Block 6 style in recent vintages.

I have also enjoyed Wirra Wirra's RSW before.

Simon,

RSW'98 was excellent but not their 99/00. I tot there is no life in Wirra2 after Mr.Riggs left until I tried the McLarenVales Shiraz 2001 which was better than the 99/00 RSW. Thumbs UP to their new lady winemaker, I'm sublime on their 2001 offering.
Another wine which didnt live up is Mr.Riggs 2001, wondered what is the fuss all about? I gussed it's probrably Ian didnt get the fruits he is looking for since he left his ex-Co. (Wirra owned/ contractsome of the largest vinyard holding in the Vales)

Cheers,

kenzo wrote:I've been quite disappointed with many McLaren Vale reds of late - most showing a distinct lack of complexity, or being over-ripe/overworked. I actually used to be an advocate of the area, but find myself buying less and less, and recently nil.

Of late I can say that I've only really enjoyed the following:
- Primo Estate Joseph moda amarone
- Primo Estate Joseph sparkling
- Stonyfell Metala Old Plantings (the black label - which is actually Langhorne Ck)
- Some Clarendon Hills grenache and shiraz
- enjoyed the Pirramimma Reserve '96, but suspect that it might not ring my bell nowadays.

And this in a line up of recent drinks like the Eileen Hardy '96, the Dead Arm '98, the Lake Breeze Winemaker's reserve cabernet '98, Henry's Drive, and the two Noon Reserves...

In fact, I'm starting to think that the (red) varietal that McLaren Vale does best is grenache!

I will also say that I have previously enjoyed a '94 Chapel Hill Vicar, and '94 Chapel Hill cabernet sauvignon, but I believe these contain some Coonawarra cabernet - correct me if I'm wrong. And no, I don't think it's just because these were aged examples, that the wines above need time.

Simon,

Primo is Adelide Hills not McL.
Lakes Breeze is Langhorne Creek.
Ditto the Metala (I think)
Clarendon is out of McL proper.

This post sounds like two things.

1. Your tastes are chings.
2. A pretty broad generalistaion.

There are a lot of styles in McLaren Vale. Kolts (which is Blewitt Springs) is very different, as is Gemtree. Cascabel is not what you describe. LeTasta is also different and these are just a few that pop into my mind.

Cheers
Ric

duplicate post deleted - what happened to "flood control"?

Simon,

I think your prolonged sojourn in Japan is having a big impact on your taste preferences, away from the big and bold to more subtle and complex styles. Either that or it's just a natural progression in your particular palate.

McLarenVale had a fairly average 99 and pretty tough 2000 vintage, my buying went mainly elsewhere for those vintages, but 01 and 02 are looking to be right back in top red bigot form.

Luckily my preferences haven't changed much for 10 years or more, otherwise I'd have to sell half my cellar and start again, I have a pretty large proportion of McLarenVale reds stashed away and continue to enjoy most of them as they mature.

As the majors tramp up their prices there seem to be more than adequate replacement emerging amongst the smaller producers, including those promoted by Gavin. I already have a goodly number of 01 McLaren reds and expect to be very happy with substantial purchases of 2002 reds also.

[quote="TORBThis post sounds like two things.

1. Your tastes are chings.

Cheers
Ric[/quote]

Ric,

I wouldn't have picked you for a racist. Sounds like you need to join Pauline in jail.

Ged

Ged,

BC - thats before coffee after a late night on a revolting bed at my dads place, a small screen and being in a hurry, thats my story and I am sticking to it.

TORB - I guess you meant to say my tastes are changing - you and Brian are perhaps both correct. Apologies for the troll-like nature of the post, however I guess I was indirectly looking for recommendations or confirmation that either 1) my palate is changing, or 2) it's not me, the wines have in fact been getting bigger and sweeter. What do you think, have we seen a change in the winemaking there throughout the 90s? I remember some superb 94s and 96s, but since then either the wines have gotten sweeter, or my palate is changing as you both suggest.
I found it interesting that of the wines I actually said I liked, many of them were out of McLaren Vale proper!

Cascabel is indeed one I'd like to try - has anyone else got some recommendations of more savoury and complex reds?

Heaven forbid my palate is starting to resemble GW's! I'll be relishing HV reds next...egads!

Cheers,

Simon

Simon,

As an outsider it looks like both. Many wineries are pushing ripeness and hence sweetness but that is not confined to McLaren Vale BTW. Its also happeing in a lot of other areas of SA.

You can still have a high level of sweetness thats "interesting" if there is a wave of savoury flavours flowing through the wine. There are loads of those out there.

As to liking Hunter Shiraz, if that happens it time to see a doctor.