Good winter and early spring rains were followed by a generally dry and mild growing season. After the leaner vintages of 2019 and 2020 it was nice to see a return to long term average crop levels. We had a slow and steady ripening period without any excessive heat spikes which has resulted in super varietal fruit intensity and balanced natural acidity.

We pick the grapes on flavour and sugar ripeness, then crush them and pump into small open fermenters where they ferment gently whilst undergoing twice daily pump overs. (We drain off the juice and then pump it over the ‘cap’ of grape skins, to gently draw out colour, flavour and tannins.).

Once just about through ferment, we gently pump the wine into oak barrels (a mixture of older, and roughly 30% new French) and let the wine finish ferment in them. It then spends just under12 months in oak maturing before bottling.

The Battle of Bosworth Shiraz is a crowd pleaser – not too much oak, not too heavily extracted, not too alcoholic. Just a wonderful medium bodied representation of McLaren Vale’s most widely planted variety. 

• James Suckling

   

  Aromas of crushed plums, redcurrants, cooking spice and garden herbs. Medium- to full-bodied with slightly chewy tannins. Pleasantly deep without being rich. Rather defined and refreshing. www.jamesuckling.com 

  92 pts

• The Real Review

   

  Dark and inky in the glass. Brooding aromas of stewed plum, dried herbs, mulberry, anise and spice. Voluminous on the palate, dark and juicy with licorice, bramble and sweet oak. There's balance here though, via grainy textured tannins and bright, punchy acidity. Opulent and smart value.

  92 Points

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