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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Drinking window: Drink between 2009 and 2014 (based on 39 user opinions) |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 88.5 pts. and median of 89 pts. in 215 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by RichardZula on 4/3/2020: A little funk of stewed fruit, but all in all a good wine still purple, good fruit, little tannins. (993 views) | | | Tasted by rednick@internode.on.net on 10/5/2019: Lovely wine, still hanging in there - can't see improvement from here but not rush. (1176 views) | | | Tasted by RichardZula on 6/1/2018: Dark, little sediment, intense, blueberry, spice, very nice. (1576 views) | | | Tasted by rama on 9/1/2015: This is one of the first bottles of wine I bought to cellar years ago as I was just starting to get into wine. It was set aside longer than planned as my tastes have changed. Cracked it tonight expecting to find it dead, but it was shockingly youthful. Zero signs of oxidation. The type of twist off they use must have allowed for no oxygen ingress.
Vivid redish/purple. Smells *super* grapey, like Welches. Bright, sweet black fruit. A touch of pepper in the middle, then finishes with chocolate. Gentle tannins and long finish. Cocktail wine in style that I will admit to finding enjoyable. (3255 views) | | | Tasted by rednick@internode.on.net on 9/21/2014: Very good, could almost be mistaken for a cabernet with such a serious structure - plenty of oak and powdery tannins - a hint of fruit sweetness at the end shows the Shiraz - will probably start to become more savoury as the fruit starts to take on more secondary characters - I'll be leaving my last one for a few years to see where it ends up (3866 views) | | | Tasted by MGBJR on 4/12/2014 & rated 88 points: Drinking nicely now. (3558 views) | | | Tasted by johnny wine on 4/5/2014 & rated 89 points: The wine looks purple colored. The legs are medium. There is no sediment in the bottle. It smells like black currant (cassis)jammy. It tastes like plum. The body is medium/full. The wine has round texture. The wine finishes medium. The wine has low acidity. Excellent (3279 views) | | | Tasted by Earl T on 9/7/2013: this is still in good shape, as I was a little worried it might be past its time. Still lots of fruit, not what you would call refined, slightly "dirty" on the palate, but the red and black fruit favors with a little spice was worth it. most will find this a good fruit forward drink. (3727 views) | | | Tasted by kcsteve on 2/23/2013 & rated 90 points: Been a year since last bottle but notes were very consistent with notes on 2/12. Love the spicy cherry finish of this wine. (2670 views) | | | Tasted by G.M. on 5/28/2012 & rated 88 points: Purple with some signs of ruby on edges. Clear, medium depth. Solid ripe nose with some nice hints of violets. A warm but balanced wine with plum, chocolate, and some gamey elements. Not particularly long or complex, but a good solid warming-in-winter McLaren Vale. (2782 views) | | | Tasted by RichardZula on 4/21/2012: Time smoothed out this wine; delicious. (2391 views) | | | Tasted by Quarked on 3/18/2012 & rated 91 points: The '04 has been a real winner for me. On opening, gobs of raspberry, which settle to dark fruits and cedar within an hour or so. Still great the second night. A little rustic, but that's my style. (2233 views) | | | Tasted by MGBJR on 2/24/2012 & rated 86 points: Not so great. Little edgy, almost metallic bite. Through that nice fruit, but took a few sips to get past the bite. Lots of sediment. I have 8 more bottles, this one with a cork, most of the rest with screw tops. Dunno if this is past its prime or not to it yet, but will wait awhile before opening another one of these. (2020 views) | | | Tasted by kcsteve on 2/10/2012 & rated 90 points: Popped and poured. Tight and hot at first but settled down quickly in glass. Love Rhone blends and this one was very nice. Opaque, deep scarlet with a bit of bricking. Black cherries and spice, with a touch of vanilla. Medium body didn't match visual. Silky on palate, medium tannins, acidity and finish. For < $13 a steal. (2145 views) | | | Tasted by JerM on 12/3/2011 & rated 89 points: Inky dark in the glass. Rich stewed dark fruits on the nose, along with some tar and burnt rubber. Minty, peppery and hints of eucalypts, the still-tight tannins and fresh acidity imparts quite alot of structure to this drop, held up helpfully with stewed plums, hint of cherries, gumdrops and a long, savoury mushroom undergrowth. Fair bit of heat from 14.5% if that's your kind of thing. Drinking well now, but unlikely to get more interesting. Great value, and paired perfectly with a lamb Rogan Josh. (2000 views) | | | Tasted by rednick@internode.on.net on 9/23/2011: Still a pup, very primary with plenty of sweet and sour cherry, drying powdery tannins and still plenty of fresh acidity - well balanced and still needs time (1979 views) | | | Tasted by Adventr.us on 8/19/2011 & rated 90 points: Hmmm, much better than the 2000 CDP we opened first. Plenty of fruit left but enough depth to say it wasn't just a fruit bomb. Very enjoyable, and looking forward to the next one. (2063 views) | | | Tasted by TiggerK on 8/10/2011 & rated 88 points: From magnum, needs decanting, good not great. Will last a bit longer. (2143 views) | | | Tasted by jsander on 6/13/2011 & rated 88 points: Nice QPR. Not going to get better. Drink up. (2393 views) | | | Tasted by dsarendt on 6/3/2011: Starlight Weekend (2841 views) | | | Tasted by Klensing on 4/11/2011 & rated 85 points: Still tannic and overweight even on day 2. (1354 views) | | | Tasted by Earl T on 3/4/2011: this bottle was plain bad. maybe too late. been in controlled cellar entire time. have a couple more bottles, will try other one tonight to confirm. (2880 views) | | | Tasted by ecola on 2/3/2011 & rated 91 points: Beautiful nose of blackberries and cherries and a bunch of black pepper. Lovely mouthfeel with flavors of dark berries and a hint of oak. Long finish full of flavor. ($14) (1177 views) | | | Tasted by tmoritz1 on 2/3/2011 & rated 90 points: deep colorr and nose of dark fruit.Some spice and herb notes. Shirz dominates the flavor and the wine accompanys spicy food very well. Tannis are subtle and there is a medium finish. Very good value for a good everyday wine (2821 views) | | | Tasted by will2wine on 1/23/2011 & rated 91 points: My last of three bottles, and it was in fine form. Deep purple with some bricking around the edges. Secondary aromas have crept in around a core that still smells and tastes like black fruit jam on grilled bread. Nicely integrated, this no longer needs air time. Down it and bask in your wisdom for putting down $15 on this bottle four years ago. (2816 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| By Chris Kissack
Winedoctor, March 2007
(D'Arenberg d'Arry's Original Shiraz Grenache (Australia)) Subscribe to see review text. | By Campbell Mattinson
The WINEFRONT (9/5/2006)
(d’Arenberg d’Arry’s Original Shiraz Grenache) Subscribe to see review text. | By James Halliday
Halliday Wine Companion (9/1/2006)
(d'Arenberg d'Arry's Original McLaren Vale Shiraz Grenache) Subscribe to see review text. | By Gary Walsh
The WINEFRONT (7/19/2006)
(d’Arenberg d’Arry’s Original Shiraz Grenache) Subscribe to see review text. | By Josh Raynolds
Vinous, July/August 2006, IWC Issue #127
(d'Arenberg d'Arry's Original Shiraz/Grenache McLaren Vale) Subscribe to see review text. | By Richard Jennings
RJonWine.com (2/4/2008)
(d'Arenberg d'Arry's Original Shiraz/Grenache) Group's #3 (my #2) – 23 pts.; 0, 2, 2, 0 – ark red violet color; graphite, roasted meat and charcoal nose; tasty raspberry, berry and charcoal palate; medium finish 91+ pts. (50% Grenache, 50% Shiraz) 91 points |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of Winedoctor and The WINEFRONT and Halliday Wine Companion and Vinous and RJonWine.com. (manage subscription channels) |
| d'Arenberg Producer website | Wine Doctor.com profile
U.S. Importer (Addt'l Info)
Producer Location (Google Maps)
One of the most significant wineries in McLaren Vale founded in 1912. The winemaking processes of the past have been maintained, capturing the unique small-batch character of the wines and the true flavour of the McLaren Vale region. All grapes, red and white, are basket-pressed. The reds are still traditionally fermented with the grape skins (caps) submerged in open wax-lined concrete fermenters utilising the age-old technique of foot-treading.
Winemaking duties are carried out by fourth-generation Chester d’Arenberg Osborn. In June 2004 Chester’s father, d’Arry was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for his contributions to the wine industry and to the McLaren Vale region. After more than 65 consecutive vintages d’Arry is very proud of his achievements in creating an internationally recognised wine brand commonly known as the ‘Red Stripe’ due to the distinctive diagonal red stripe that adorns the label. d’Arenberg’s art of being different extends to a range of fortified and dessert wines, which have legendary status worldwide.2004 d'Arenberg d'Arry's Original Shiraz/Grenache Winemaker's Notes
//The Characteristics//
In its youth, d’Arry’s Original displays a vivid dark plum colour with a dark mauve hue. The nose invariably attacks with lifted savoury dark fruits; cranberry, dark chocolates and spice from the Shiraz and a fragrant strawberry, cranberry, tamarillo character from the Grenache. The palate is distinctively d’Arenberg; medium to full bodied, dry red with a fruity mid palate dominated by plums, mulberry and spice which is balanced by fine tannins and a punchy length of red fruits mixed with cherry stones, mulberry and plums with some liquorish notes. Well-cellared, the d’Arry’s Original becomes soft, generous, full-flavoured, velvety, long and seamless. It will retain great fruit characters of dark fruits, earthy tones and floral green herbs. The impressive sweetness of the wine prevails while the gritty tannic finish of a young wine gives way to long, sweet, spiced McLaren Vale character with an acidity that is still fresh and active.
//The Vintage//
After excellent winter rains and then a warm wet spring the vineyards were set for a good start to vintage. Flowering was consistent, for the first time crop sizes looked more normal than the previous few years. We experienced the coldest January for 12 years followed by a warm to hot February and mild March which carried on into April to eventually become a very long Indian summer due to the mild autumn weather.
//The Winemaking//
Each batch of fruit received is gently crushed in our Demoisy open-mouthed, rubber-toothed crusher and is then transferred to headed-down open fermenters. A tiny proportion of the Shiraz component underwent a carbonic fermentation which enhances the lifted spicy characters. Once the fermentation is nearly complete, traditional foot-treading takes place prior to basket-pressing. Then the highly clarified juice is transferred to oak to complete primary and secondary fermentation. The blending process of all the individual batches is completed over several days of bench tastings. The final blend then returns to large wooden casks to completely
integrate prior to being bottled.
Varietals: 50% Shiraz, 50% GrenacheRed Rhone Blend Read about the different grapes used to produce red and white Rhone wines
On CellarTracker, Red Rhone Blend is the term for a wine consisting of two or more of the traditional 13 Southern Rhone grape varieties. Typically it's the Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre or Cinsault grapes, but can also contain the Muscardin, Counoise, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Picpoul, Roussanne, Terret Noir, Picardan or Vaccarese grapes.
A 'food' wine. Lacking pretension and intended for local consumption with local cuisine. Lacks the 'high' notes on a Bordeaux, more earthy and sharper so often a better partner to meat dishes with a sauce. Australia Wine Australia (Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation) | Australian Wines (Wikipedia)South Australia South Australian Wine Industry Association | South Australian Wines (Wikipedia)Fleurieu Fleurieu Wineries & Cellar Doors (southaustralia.com)McLaren Vale McLaren Vale (McLaren Vale Grape, Wine and Tourism)
(Hastwell & Lightfoot webpage) |
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