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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Drinking window: Drink between 2015 and 2019 (based on 18 user opinions) |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 88.1 pts. and median of 88 pts. in 59 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by Alaskawino on 6/21/2022 & rated 88 points: Still good. Opened 2 hours prior and it was a little tight Balance isn’t quite there anymore as the fruit is limited but everything else is. Don’t try to save any longer (522 views) | | | Tasted by Krassens on 11/25/2020 & rated 87 points: Last bottle of three, not as impressed this time, but still great qpr at 15€ with this aging. (1202 views) | | | Tasted by Krassens on 9/27/2020 & rated 88 points: Well matured typical Shiraz in its category. Lush and fruity, tannins on the softer side. Good qpr, will try to get more. (1182 views) | | | Tasted by BigfootPMH on 12/22/2019 & rated 91 points: 2 years on from KillerJones’ comment and the review could have been written today (Dec 2019).
A big wine that retains its structure but without the tab is of its youth.
Agree with Matt that it is unlikely to get any better but will likely last many more years.
Consumed after a bottle of 2010 Tim Adams Alberfedy (circa $50) it stands on its own. Enough said.
If every vintage was this good I would buy a case (or two) every year to lay down. My 2015’s aren’t showing as much promise, but who knows, they may suprised me (I hope so!! As I form thave much 2010 or 2012 left!!) (1513 views) | | | Tasted by thebatcavewines on 10/2/2017 & rated 83 points: The wine looks garnet colored. The legs are slow. There is light sediment in the bottle. It smells like ethanol and cool/menthol. It tastes like fur, cool/menthol, barnyard, petrol and hay/straw. The body is medium. The wine has narrow texture. The wine finishes medium. The wine has medium acidity. (2363 views) | | | Tasted by ktnjr on 3/26/2017 & rated 91 points: I really enjoyed this wine. Ready to drink now.
Decanted for 45 minutes.
On the nose: While poring into the decantor you could smell the fruit. I would say its fruit forward but a very nice balance. I picked up alot of berries but I also picked up some of the spice or pepper later on.
Palate: Alot of black berries and plum. Really nice chewy tannins. (2239 views) | | | Tasted by KillerJones on 1/11/2017 & rated 90 points: Classic McLaren Vale Shiraz in every sense.
Laden with dark fruits, old spices and woody notes on the nose and backed up with thick liquorice, blackberry, plum and graphite-like characters on the palate.
Striking fruit concentration paired with a bold and chewy, yet integrated tannin structure.
Brutish in many respects, I suppose, but somehow manages to remain incredibly balanced.
This wine will please even the most cantankerous wine aficionado.
Note: Decanting prior to serving is recommended to get the most enjoyment from this wine...about an hour seems right. (2195 views) | | | Tasted by BigfootPMH on 3/27/2016 & rated 90 points: Drinking beautifully and presenting abundant fruit, this Shiraz has good depth in flavour and in inky redness. The finish is a tad shorter than one would hope for, but it is a small criticism on what is a great performer at an exceptional price point.
Can't be beaten under $20 a bottle and great with 6 or more years in the cellar. (2058 views) | | | Tasted by Z1nnfull on 5/10/2015 & rated 89 points: Same notes as 2-6-14, less essentially:
Have never had a bad or even mediocre D'Arenberg wine and this is no exception. This is a full-bodied, bowl of inky black fruit red wine that would pair with spicy or grilled fare. Let it breathe and decanted and it opened up nicely. D'Arenberg reds are best not drunk young, they are concentrated/fully-extracted wines and even the cheaper ones will benefit from a year or two aging. This one is drinking well just now, but worth letting breathe a bit. (2316 views) | | | Tasted by brottman on 4/26/2015 & rated 84 points: You can really taste the peppery heat, which seems to overpower any of the other subtle flavors. After a couple hours it settled down, but it certainly isn't an elegant Shiraz. (1806 views) | | | Tasted by randy80831 on 3/24/2015 & rated 89 points: Very earthy nose with a hint of black pepper and spice. Taste of dark, red fruits with a very well balanced tannic structure. Just the right acidity to bring everything else into balance. A medium finish. Excellent wine for the price point. (1626 views) | | | Tasted by garambler on 2/7/2015 & rated 88 points: Friends brought this to our 2/7/15 Australian Rhone tasting. It had a ripe, slightly reticent bouquet of plum, blackberry, toast, pepper and spice aromas. The palate was ripe, dry and a little simple with flavors that followed the nose. Our group’s average score was 89.6 points. (1722 views) | | | Tasted by affordableCollector on 9/17/2014 & rated 86 points: dark red in color. blackberry, earth, raspberry, on the nose. blackberry, spice, pepper, bitter fruit, oak, on the palate. high acid, high tannins, on the finish. (1632 views) | | | Tasted by Wine Poor on 5/26/2014 & rated 89 points: We Drank this on its own. It was very enjoyable drinking. Smooth with notes of cherry and some baking spices. (1714 views) | | | Tasted by OLMouse on 5/19/2014: Очень тёмное; рубиново-фиолетовая кайма. Нос - пряности, джем. Кислотность ниже средней. (1532 views) | | | Tasted by Korolev_mv on 3/15/2014 & rated 85 points: Зеленое вино! Возможно потребуетмя 2-3 года для раскрытия. Пока сырое. Хороший аромат, но ярккое алкогольное послевкусие. Весьма сбитый вкус, неточный аромат. (1808 views) | | | Tasted by Jeffyboy on 3/4/2014 & rated 88 points: Australia in Winecorner March 2014 (Winecorner - wine shop, Bialy Kamien, Warsaw, Poland): Good, soft, delicate and bit spicy. Taste: balanced acidity and sweetness. Nice important tannins. Blackberries and morwa. Good one. (2358 views) | | | Tasted by Z1nnfull on 2/6/2014 & rated 89 points: Have never had a bad or even mediocre D'Arenberg wine and this is no exception. This is a full-bodied, bowl of inky black fruit red wine that would pair with spicy or grilled fare. Let it breathe and decanted and it opened up nicely. D'Arenberg reds are best not drunk young, they are concentrated/fully-extracted wines and even the cheaper ones will benefit from a year or two aging. This one is drinking well just now, more recent vintages may be a little too tight. (1709 views) | | | Tasted by Rayden on 12/15/2013 & rated 88 points: First opened, it was too bitey, even with aeration but after a day was much, much better. No longer a 'cheap wine'. Still a 'bit hot' but a very reasonable value for the price. Some light caramel and commercial fruitiness and a classy dry finish. (1542 views) | | | Tasted by tschneid on 12/11/2013 & rated 90 points: Last bottle was disjointed with flavors of fruit and spices fighting each other. This bottle was much better with flavors of vanilla, black cherry and spices blending nicely. (1484 views) | | | Tasted by mreinitz on 10/29/2013 flawed bottle: Our last bottle of this was good, but this one was corked. (1658 views) | | | Tasted by nzinkgraf on 10/9/2013: D'Arenberg - McLaren Vale.: Originally called 'old vine.' A tribute to the racehorse that bought the original farm.
More fruit and less eucalyptus than the Custodian or d'Arrys. Med/- or med tannin. Again, clay-y tannin. Done in wax lined concrete tank. 25 basket presses for everything. Including stump jump. (1947 views) | | | Tasted by ViticultureShock on 9/8/2013 & rated 89 points: Well integrated with soft tannins right out of the bottle. Pleasant red fruit. Drink now or let it sit for a couple of years and see what happens. (1581 views) | | | Tasted by yofog on 8/31/2013 & rated 85 points: A little more definition than I was expecting, and it's not terrible, but still a little hot, sharp, and meh. (1394 views) | | | Tasted by startinoz on 7/5/2013 & rated 90 points: The $15 South Australian shiraz market is ferocious. This is a rather bland example. Plum and regional chocolate. The 2009 was much better. Lacks acidity and real character and quality. Next. (1538 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| By David Lawrason
WineAlign (11/20/2013)
(D'arenberg The Footbolt Shiraz, Mclaren Vale, South Australia red) Subscribe to see review text. | By John Szabo, MS
WineAlign (11/12/2013)
(D'arenberg The Footbolt Shiraz, Mclaren Vale, South Australia red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Campbell Mattinson
The WINEFRONT (9/13/2012)
(d’Arenberg The Footbolt Shiraz) Subscribe to see review text. | By James Halliday
Halliday Wine Companion (8/28/2012)
(d'arenberg the footbolt mclaren vale shiraz) Subscribe to see review text. | By Josh Raynolds
Vinous, July/August 2012, IWC Issue #163
(d'Arenberg Shiraz The Footbolt McLaren Vale) Subscribe to see review text. |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of WineAlign and The WINEFRONT and Halliday Wine Companion and Vinous. (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.2010 d'Arenberg Shiraz The FootboltThe Vintage
Above average autumn rains set the vines up well. There was some heat during flowering which reduced crop levels, but with no ill-effects on quality. There was some more warm weather in January as the reds were going through verasion, this did no damage, but did encourage an early start to vintage. The day time temperatures were mild through out ripening with mild to cool nights.
The Characteristics
The nose initially displays an enticing mix of red and black fruits. Mulberries, ripe raspberries and blackberries are very pure. Complexity is built through the layers of exotic spice that support this fruit. Nutmeg, cinnamon, clove and anise are all evident. And of course, it wouldn’t be The Footbolt with out that generous lick of d’Arenberg earth and game. On the palate the wine is rich, concentrated and generous. There is an intrinsic warmth to this wine. The dark plummy fruit , leather and cedar notes are inviting, but it is the soil like tannins with a hint of chewiness that pull it all together for a long, gratifying finish.
The Footbolt Shiraz has proven to cellar well for at least a decade and the 2010 is certainly no exception. Our minimal intervention methods sometimes result in a harmless deposit in or adhering to the bottle. Decanting prior to serving is recommended to get the most enjoyment from this wine.
Technical Information
Harvest Dates: 2 March 2011
Alcohol by Volume: 14.41%
Chief Winemaker: Chester d’Arenberg Osborn
Titratable Acid: 7 g/L
Oak Maturation: 12 months in new and older French and American Oak and large casks
pH: 3.41
Additional Info: Vegan friendly
Senior Winemaker: Jack Walton
Residual Sugar: 3.1g/Ld'Arenberg Shiraz The FootboltBefore being renamed The Footbolt Shiraz in 1996, the Old Vine Shiraz (as it was then known) was the first wine to use the term ‘Old Vine’.
When this became common practice it was altered to honour a racehorse that changed the Osborn family forever.
The founder of d’Arenberg, Joseph Osborn was a successful racehorse owner and Footbolt was the pride of his stable.
In 1912 he made the hard decision to sell his stable of horses to start d’Arenberg, so it is only fitting we pay homage to Joseph and his prize horse, Footbolt.
Shiraz Varietal article (Wikipedia) | Varietal character (Appellation America)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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