We had above average winter rainfall and although we had a dry June, we recorded decent falls in July and August. Below average rainfall was recorded in spring, and we experienced some warm spring nights. Summer rain tally was also below average despite a wet December. McLaren Vale experienced warm a warm Autumn ripening period with low rainfall. Overall vintage in McLaren Vale produced wine of excellent quality and while total tonnages were down for the season, compared to a wet and fertile 2017, the reports from winemakers on wine quality has been almost universally positive.

Best of Vintage is as the name suggests – the very best (red) wine from the vintage, which gets to spend extra time in the best oak barrels. The process begins when Joch and Scott start looking at barrels of Shiraz to make our Battle of Bosworth Shiraz. The taste through every barrel of shiraz from the vintage, and any outstanding barrels are set aside for Best of Vintage.

All of our Shiraz are made according to the Bosworth red winemaking protocol – open fermented on their skins in small 2 tonne vessels, twice daily pump overs (to extract colour flavour and tannin from the grapes and skins). Ferment finishes in fine oak barrels (French oak generally), and maturation continues in barrel. Best of Vintage wine spends generally about 18 months in oak before blending and bottling.

• The Real Wine Review

  Dark purple hue, blackberry and vanilla bouquet. Lavish texture, smooth and round on the palate. Round and dense tannin and flavour, brambles, cured meat and cardamom. Full-bodied with a lasting finish
  93 Points 
  03 APR 2021, Amanda Yallop

• James Suckling

  Very attractive, gently aromatic aromas of pomegranite, blood oranges, red cherries and plums, as well as violets. really well-played oak adds light, woody complexity. The palate is built on sturdy layers of fresh, ripe plums and delivers a very smooth, long and vibrantly fruit-focused impression.

  94 points

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