We had good winter rains after a few seasons of below average rainfall. This was a late season: budburst was approximately 2-3 weeks late, and harvest started similarly behind our standard season (we usually start picking Chardonnay in early/ mid February).

This year we picked whites in late February/ early March. Unseasonal rains in March threw a spanner in the works somewhat, but luck and good management helped us dodge most of the bullets. Our best parcels of Shiraz are incredibly bright, balanced and reminiscent of our 1999 reds, which have incredible longevity. Overall this was a very long vintage with moderate yields which tested Joch’s nerves a little more than usual. 

"Scarce Earth is a McLaren Vale initiative exploring and celebrating the geological climatic and soil diversity of the region. All wines come from a single block, a small plot of land with a unique flavour profile and personality."

The 2011 Chanticleer Shiraz is made from two 300 litre barrels from our Chanticleer Vineyard. It has been hand-made, hand bottled and is unfiltered. The wine was open fermented then matured in four year old French oak to allow the expression of the vineyard in its purest form.

Soil Type:          Urrbrae stony loam

Geology:           Christies Beach formation, Quaternary period

Elevation:          138 metres

Vine Age:          24 years

Vine clone:        1654, BVRC12 and an unknown clone

Volume:              66 dozen

• The Wine Advocate #211 February 2014 Lisa Perrotti-Brown

  Deep garnet in color, the 2011 Scarce Earth Chanticleer Shiraz gives off slightly rubbery, tar-scented reduction notes at first that eventually yield to a nose of preserved plums, coffee, aniseed and fertile loam plus a hint of Szechuan pepper. Medium to full-bodied and tautly structured in the mouth by a medium to firm level of grainy tannins and crisp acid, it finishes long and peppery. Drink it now to 2019+.

  90+ points

• Huon Hooke, www.huonhooke.com 19th July 2013

  Deep red/purple colour. rich chocolate and mocha aromas to the fore. A meaty, vegetable edge in the background. A big, full-bodied and chewy textured wine, with lots of weight and alcohol and grip. Massive, dense, concentrated and needs much more time. Tremendous length and tannin structure. Impressive stuff. Has the makings of a great bottle in time. Scarce Earth bottling.

  95 Points

   

• Wining Pom 20th April 2013 'Scarce Earth McLaren Vale 2011 releases'

  A more vivid representation, dark fruit, damson and olive, vegetal edge, earthy too, feels good on the palate, all very medium weight with powdery tannins and a texture that is lithe and limbersome. Slight sour fruit edge on the finish.

  90 points

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