Pertaringa Yeoman Shiraz 2021

Region: McLaren Vale

Story: Bec's great-great-great grandfather, Thomas Hardy, was born in 1830 of yeoman farmer stock farmers who owned and farmed their own land. Six generations on, Bec and her family are still of yeoman descent, cultivating grapes at the family-owned and sustainably managed vineyards. With a modern twist on 170 years of winemaking history, this wine pays homage to Thomas Hardy's original yeoman stock.

Vintage: Great winter rainfall during 2020 ensured the vines were off to a fantastic start for the 2021 vintage. The weather during flowering was mild and not too windy, which lead to great fruit set. There was a major rain event in February, but the dry weather following this ensured disease didn’t become a problem. The weather stayed mild and dry throughout harvest, the yields were higher than the past few years and the quality was fantastic.

Vineyard: This is a single vineyard Shiraz from the Lesley vineyard. The Osmond family who own the Lesley vineyard don't know the exact age of these vines, all they know is that they are more than 140 years old. The vineyard is located north of McLaren Flat where the old, gnarled vines produce amazing quality, concentrated fruit. 

 Soils: The soils in this vineyard are deep alluvial clays from the Holocene era (11,700 years old). This area would have been a flood plain that was first planted by settlers so the soils retained water and the vines grew well, even before irrigation. 

Winemaking: Small batch open fermenters. 40% new French oak hogsheads for 20 months.

Nose: The nose is gracefully opulent and complex, showing dark and purple fruit richness, spicy oak, dark chocolate and warm spice aromas.

 Palate: The palate is concentrated and smooth with layers of rich black fruits, liquorice, chocolate and spices, displaying terrific weight and flash texture

 Cellaring: Drink now to 2036

Tasting notes: 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2010

97 points - Wine Orbit, 2024

96 points - Wine Showcase Magazine, 2024

95 points - Wine Pilot, 2024
"A dark maroon, this is big, bold and generous. The aromas weave through chocolate, warm earth, bay leaves, cocoa powder, coffee grinds, cassis, plums and dry herbs. There is serious intensity here, fine acidity and impressive length. With ultra-ripe tannins, the wine just lingers, long after the last sip. A cracking McLaren Vale Shiraz with an immense future, fifteen to twenty years for the patient."