Leconfield McLaren Vale Shiraz 2019 (Australia)

Leconfield McLaren Vale Shiraz 2019 (Australia)French & American oak Satsuma plum Roasted coffee Long tannins "Leconfield wines (and the Hamilton family, of which they are part) have a history almost as long as that of wine in South Australia itself dating back to 1838, although Leconfield itself, which is in the Coonawarra, was actually established in the 1970s and was reunited with the main branch of the family recently. In a confusing twist, this shiraz, from McLaren Vale (yes, not Coonawarra),

• French & American oak
• Satsuma plum
• Roasted coffee
• Long tannins

"Leconfield wines (and the Hamilton family, of which they are part) have a history almost as long as that of wine in South Australia itself – dating back to 1838, although Leconfield itself, which is in the Coonawarra, was actually established in the 1970s and was reunited with the main branch of the family recently. In a confusing twist, this shiraz, from McLaren Vale (yes, not Coonawarra), hails from the Hamilton family’s own Farm Block and is a dark-fruited, chewy and spicy wine. A real mouthful of robust decadence, it bursts forth with Christmas cake and vanilla flavours from some American oak influence (as well as French). One of the most full-bodied of the line-up, it really calls for slow-cooked or grilled red meat to stand up to its concentrated flavours" Cuisine Magazine, Issue 206, Jun 2021

Full deep red in the glass. Black olive and Satsuma plum fruits with integrated oak that provides a subtle fresh roasted coffee background. The rich Shiraz fruits with fine textured long tannins provide persistence to this full bodied, yet elegant wine. Acidity is soft and round to give palate succulence. Very approachable at release, the wine has the structure to mature and develop over 8-10 years or more.

The 'Farm' block just to the south of the McLaren Vale township provides the black loam soil over clay that limits yields and encourages small berries to produce the rich Shiraz fruit for this wine. Harvesting was at night to take advantage of cooler temperatures. All components were fermented to dryness and allowed extended maceration on skins before pressing. The oak used for maturation was predominantly new and used French with some second use American to aid the perception of fruit sweetness and a light fining polished the soft tannin structure.

The 2019 growing season can be described as being both warmer and drier than average. Yields were below average and berry size was smaller, helping to concentrate flavours. Conditions until late February were cooler and provided ideal conditions during veraison. Very warm conditions in the last week of February and early March saw rapid ripening and a compressed harvest period, producing concentrated flavours. 15% new French oak, 20% 1 year old French oak hogsheads. 15 months oak.

Leconfield was established in 1974 by pioneering oenologist Sydney Hamilton who, at 76 years of age, had the dream to produce the classic Australian red wine. Leconfield McLaren Vale Shiraz provides a sibling to the classic Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon, for which the estate is famous, the Coonawarra Merlot and its recent new addition, Cabernet/Merlot.

Food Pairing: Best with full flavoured meals. Roast lamb, warm lentil salad, mild curry.