Winebuzz

Commentary: Is McLaren Vale the Next Barossa Valley?

Dean Aslin looks at disruption in the Australian wine scene.

 

When it comes to new world Shiraz few have the reputation that Australia’s Barossa Valley does but recently its southern neighbour has been grabbing the attention and deservedly so.

McLaren Vale lies to the South East of South Australia’s capital city, Adelaide, and it is a much cooler climate than the Barossa with sea breezes on most afternoons. Whilst there has never been any doubt about the high standard of wines coming from the region it is now getting a lot of attention because of the awards and accolades it is receiving for their exceptional Shiraz.

I asked RockBare Winemakers’, Marty O’Flaherty, about this surge in popularity:

Marty believes it is the diversity of the McLaren Vale that makes it possible to produce wines with more finesse and elegance than it is out of the Barossa. “Such styles tend to be more favored in recent times by wine show judges and writers” noted Marty.

Marty is responsible for making wine from both regions and his 2009 RockBare McLaren Vale Shiraz was recently awarded 5 Stars and “Top of Class” by Winestate magazine. So which region does Marty prefer when making Shiraz?

“I find McLaren Vale to be much more diverse yet I love the consistency of Barossa” Marty offered as he went on to explain the differing characters. “Barossa Shiraz tends to reveal plum like fruit and earthy Barossa floor characters, whilst McLaren Vale has more blackberry/ mulberry fruit character, black olive/ tapenade savouriness and distinctive licorice tannin.”

From my own experience I have been very excited about the Shiraz that I have tried from the region of late with some showing obvious aging potential of 20+ years.

So is McLaren Vale the next Barossa I pondered?

“I don’t think McLaren Vale will ever supersede Barossa in regards to Barossa Shiraz but certainly it is capable of making wines just as good.”

If Marty’s wines are anything to go by, I completely agree.

2009 RockBare McLaren Vale Shiraz HK$150 from Global Wine Cellar.

Dean Aslin is an Australian living in Hong Kong and is the Marketing Manager for Global Wine Cellar. Dean is passionate about wine, Asia, food, travel and social media. Follow him on Twitter at @GWC_Dean