McLaren Ridge 2004 Shiraz
Franz Scheurer

Heather and Peter Oliver have just released their first wine, a Shiraz, with the help of Nigel Rayner, Brian Light and David Ridge. Get some before they even have a cellar door and before anyone finds out just how good it is for its asking price. Planted a decade ago the vines finally produce fruit that just couldn’t be ignored, expressing the McLaren Vale terroir to the fullest with 'Cherry Ripe’ forward aromas of cherries and chocolate and earthy, chocolaty, peppery flavours with tight tannins and a long and lively finish. Available from McLaren Ridge on 08 8383 0504 and check out the accommodation!

An archetypical McLaren Vale Shiraz at only $ 20 p/bottle!

Franz Scheurer
http://www.australiangourmetpages.com
September 2005

Bright crimson colour with crimson mauve hue. Medium body. Lifted spicy nose, followed by raspberry, earth, spice, confectionary and new leather. The palate has a tarry quality overlaid with stewed plums, mocha and dark chocolate. The palate flavour profile is relatively short. Aftertaste of mocha, earth, spice and confectionary.

A fine example of what McLaren Vale does best, this 2004 Shiraz shows breeding both from the vineyard and the winery. While full-flavoured, as one would expect from this region, the McLaren Ridge offers more than a touch of elegance.
I kept coming back to this wine during the tasting session. First and foremost, it is about the quality of the fruit and then the masterful restraint with which this satisfying red has been made.
Delicious varietal aromas and flavours display the generosity for which McLaren Vale is renowned while the winemaker's art shows in the structure and harmony.
At a time when big is supposedly better, the McLaren Ridge Shiraz 2004 shows what can be achieved when balance is the aim.

Grape Expectations
July 2006