2018 Adelina Shiraz Mataro, Clare Valley

Adelina's Shiraz/Mataro (65:35) is 100% sourced from Springfarm, Clare Valley, with the Shiraz being mostly fruit from the Aberfeldy vineyard (now run by Jim McDowell and Anne Brown who have owned and maintained this block for some 30 years), with a little Adelina estate fruit. From vines that have been planted predominantly between 1904 and 1930, these sites sit on red sandy soils on a clay base with some slate and limestone as well. The Mataro comes off 10+-year-old Springfarm vines. Elevation is around 440 metres. All up, an imposing 60-70% of this wine comes off vines with an age of around 100 years! Production-wise it's the routine that has served this estate so well. All fruit is handpicked and destemmed into Col's Italian, unlined concrete vats. The Shiraz/Mataro wine is matured principally in concrete tank (65%) and seasoned in large format French oak. Such wonderful finesse; this is just a fabulous wine and at a ridiculous value. Don't hesitate.

Medium weight, fine tannins, layers of spice, restrained red and blue berry fruitiness, a web of Italianate tannins and herbs and brambly savouriness rolled in. It sits tight and dart-shaped in the palate, draws exceptionally long, feels not for now but later yet still has a compelling thing to it that asks you to keep at your glass. Dark-sour cherry, amaro, clove all happening. Superb wine here, all structure and yet all appeal.

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