Dune Blewitt Springs McLaren Vale Shiraz 2024 (Australia)

Description

Cherry, Herbal, Oak

Dark, glossy fruit on the nose: fresh plum, cherry, lavender and bay leaf. Medium bodied and savoury textured, plush sweet fruited palate, fine and long, nice density of tannin, unfurling layers of flavour — mulberry, blackberry, pomegranate and a lithe and gravelly texture to finish.

Whilst McLaren Vale is not a large region it is geologically diverse. The Blewitt Springs subregion is known for deep sandy soils on yellow clays. Shiraz typically ripens later here than other parts of McLaren Vale and displays different characteristics. The sandy soils typically produce shiraz of lifted dark fruit, floral and meaty notes, the tannin is fine yet chalky and the wines are often medium bodied rather than full.

Vine growth started relatively early with cool but sunny and dry conditions, followed by a dramatic change from mid-November 2023 to mid-January 2024. Wind and rain dictated the summer period, all irrigation was stopped and canopy trimming and leaf plucking was required to ensure sufficient light onto fruit for ripening. In late January, the rain stopped and we had a prolonged dry and warm weather pattern including a mini-heatwave in March. Shiraz parcels looked impressive with great colour and concentration of fruit.