Yangarra McLaren Vale Shiraz 2004 $18

Picking a wine of the week and sharing its enjoyment with you is one of OUR favorite things. Our choice for this week is Yangarra 2004 McLaren Vale Shiraz from Australia.

And what we like most about this wine, aside from the taste that is so Aussie Shiraz, is the attitude. Yangarra means “from the earth" in a native aboriginal dialect and this estate-grown wine lives up to its name. You can be transported to the McLaren Vale in South Australia with just one sip.

All the grapes used in this wine come from Yangarra’s estate there. The Shiraz has a deep purple red color and a complex aroma of dark berry fruits but underneath that fruitiness is a flavor that reminds me of a twist of fresh cracked pepper. The Yangarra Shiraz has just that balance.

At about eighteen dollars a bottle it’s a great expression of Australia and Shiraz and the care of estate growing and winemaking that’s all about being “from the Earth.”

Pop the Cork™.

Comments:

Old shiraz vines create this complex and opulent wine, with flavors of white, black and green peppercorns, mulberry and boysenberry, with notes of peaty-earthiness along with spices and herbs of thyme and sage. ”

Peter Fraser, Winemaker

Our Estate in McLaren Vale, South Australia, is situated above a rich basin of vineyards in the Foothills/Blewitt Springs area, specialising in Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvedre. 420 acres of vineyards, pastures, towering native red gums (eucalyptus), natural creeks and dams are what we call the home of Yangarra Estate Vineyard wines. Nestled at the base of the Mount Lofty/Sellicks Hill ranges that surround McLaren Vale, our vineyards experience slightly cooler temperatures than that of the central basin of McLaren Vale. Grenache and Shiraz are the major varieties grown on the estate, and we believe that McLaren Vale (especially the cooler foothills) produces some of the best examples of these varieties in Australia.

Past Recommendations, Picks, and Wines of the Week

When you read our thoughts, please remember that you may think differently. A particular wine may be your favorite and not on our list. Well, don't stop buying it because of that. In fact, you may want to email us and let us know about it. These are our opinions but our FIRST recommendation is to go by your own palate.

A couple of other thoughts . . . first, prices are approximate. They'll vary. Second, different vintages mean different grapes and different tastes so our recommendation for a 2000 Merlot may not hold for 2001.

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