Wine Wednesday - 2006 Shingleback Shiraz McLaren Vale

Last weekend two great friends of Ash and myself got married. It was a beautiful day and a great start to joining their lives together. In honor of the newly-minted marriage, I figured I'd throw up a wine that we have all shared together, the 2006 Shingleback Shiraz. Granted this was enjoyed almost a year ago so I just have my notes to go off of.

One of our favorite activities that the four of us do is the random, "hey let's hang out, have dinner and drink wine." It is pretty simple. 

Food. Wine. Fun. Got it? Good.

Back to the wine at hand, the following is the vintage information from the McLaren Vale in 2006:

 "Good spring rains created strong canopies that helped to see the grapes through some hot January weather. The burst of heat reduced vigour and led to slow, even ripening. The result was the early development of rich, vibrant varietal flavour. Whites were harvested from late February through to early March with the reds following on, and all fruit being in by the beginning of April. After prefect conditions rains arrived just as the last berry was harvested. The benevolence of the "weather gods" meant that vintage was extremely orderly, but more importantly, resulted in highly aromatic and varietal wines with balanced acidity and fine tannins."

I checked out the notes from other vintages in the Mclaren Vale, and while 2005 was apparently the best year (ever?) in the region, 2006 was no slouch itself.

Mental note, find a 2005 McLaren Vale.

Notes from the winemaker: "Deep red, ripe blackberry and strawberry primary aromas are overlaid with blueberry, chocolate and hints of vanilla. Fine-grained American and French oak subtly frame the rich berry mid-palate. A full-bodied wine that is seamlessly integrated from the first taste to the long, lingering finish."

With all that from the experts done with, here's my two cents.

2006 Shingleback Shiraz, McLaren Vale

The Shingleback Shiraz is a beautiful plum color and fills the nose with red fruit aromas with a hint of oak.

Very smooth start that begins with a rich blackberry flavor that remains through the end. Bright red fruits dominate before it gives way to hints of oak and vanilla approach at the end, but are very soft and non-abrasive. Seamless from start to a lingering finish. Surprisingly well-balanced.

Well-balanced and fantastic wine, especially for the price. This would be a good wine to share with those that may not prefer reds but are willing to venture out. This would pair well with a nicely charred pork chop or lamb. All the cellar tracking shows that it is at it's prime now and should not be held for any longer, so if you have a bottle, enjoy it tonight!

Cost: $16-$23.50