2009 The Ironstone Pressings Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre
McLaren Vale, Grenache 67% Shiraz 27% Mourvèdre 6%
The Story Behind The Name
Most of McLaren Vale’s acclaimed and historic vineyards are impregnated with ancient, decomposed laterite granite known as ironstone. Its extraordinary rusty red-brown colour is derived from the iron oxides present in the stone. The larger pieces were cleared from the vineyards in the late 1880’s and utilised in many of the buildings at d'Arenberg, most notably the old stables.
The Characteristics
On the nose we are struck by the typical dark fruits that drinkers of this wine have come to love and expect. Plums, mulberries, fresh soil and more developed peaty like notes are all apparent, with an underlying lick of exotic Indian spice. But, it is the irony, stone like character that gives away the vintage.
An abundance of fresh fruits on the palate marry well with the more complex characters of quince paste, cinnamon, nutmeg, star anise and earthy beetroot. Driving the core of the wine is that vintage trademark in the form of graphite and wet stone. This wine, while appearing open and generous already, will continue to age well thanks to the lively line of acidity and the abundance of fine gritty tannins.