2024 Mr. Riggs The Gaffer Shiraz, McLaren Vale

The Gaffer is a tribute to Ben Riggs’ great-great-great grandfather, John ‘The Gaffer’ Riggs (1814-1902), who was one of South Australia’s most renowned farmers. Since 2006 The Gaffer Shiraz has worn its pink cap in acknowledgement of a partnership with the Flinders Foundation and their fight against cancer.

A medium weight Shiraz, the style of The Gaffer is soft, flavoursome, and fruit driven. Distinctive McLaren Vale characteristics shine through with a spine of sweet, soft, warm tannins whilst on the palate is crunchy, bright, red berries.

A great all-rounder, it’s the kind of wine that will sit well at a large shared table at your next BBQ.

More about this wine

The fruit was sourced from five vineyards: Martins, Gateway, John Rivers, Tim Hunts and Piebald Gully, all in different sub-regions of McLaren Vale, picked on different days and fermented separately in five-tonne open fermenters for seven to ten days. The wine was matured in predominantly French oak and the components assessed and blended just before bottling.

About this producer

Founded in 2001, the Mr in Mr Riggs is winemaker Ben Riggs, whose wines, in his own words, are inspired by Ella Fitzgerald – bombastic and powerful with a huge vocal range, yet with purity of tone and a gentle sensibility when needed.