Franca’s Shiraz 2019 South Australia

Ministry Of Clouds Shiraz 2019

Sand & Stones may break my bones, but geology will never hurt me…

Born of one of the most ancient and geologically diverse wine regions in the world, McLaren Vale, this wine is made from Australia’s most ubiquitous grape – Shiraz. With the aim that this Shiraz reflects our view of the region, we combine a famed dry grown Blewitt Springs deep sandy vineyard, and a younger more structured and fragrant parcel from the shallow old bedrock of our own Onkaparinga Rocks vineyard in the hope of a more modern, slender and youthful expression.

Composition
Layers of cool blue and red fruit lift with layers of allspice and cardamom to entice, supported by a gentle oak creaminess, which progresses to the palate exhibiting a deep fruit weight kept bright, nervy, and fleshy and filed down nicely by fine and savoury tannin line.

Consumption
Ideal serving temperature is 16 °C… God forbid a Shiraz that won’t dominate all food placed before it. Try with spicy Catalan Fish Stew with grilled rye and aioli. Cool cellaring between 5 years to 8 years will be rewarded.

Toby Bekkers Syrah 2015 sits in the top echelon of Shiraz wines from South Australia.

The fruit comes from two highly regarded vineyards in McLaren Vale each sporting old, low-yielding vines. Toby’s vast knowledge of the great vineyards of the region is something of a secret weapon for the Bekkers husband and wife team.

It’s certainly paid dividends here.

This is McLaren Vale Shiraz with power and finesse in equal portion. James Halliday rated this a near perfect 98 points putting on the shortlist with the best Shiraz in the country this year and one of the best buys on the list.