Pertaringa 'Belonging to the Hills' Reserve Shiraz 2022

This Reserve Shiraz showcases the distinctive terroir of McLaren Vale's elevated vineyards, as suggested by 'Belonging to the Hills' in its name. The higher altitude sites provide cooler conditions that help retain natural acidity while developing the region's signature rich, chocolatey characteristics. McLaren Vale's Mediterranean climate and ancient soils create the perfect conditions for Shiraz to develop complex layers of dark fruit and spice, which this wine exemplifies beautifully.

Serve this wine at 16-18°C to allow its complex aromatics of dark chocolate and roasted coffee to fully express themselves. Decanting for 30-60 minutes will help soften the tannins and integrate the vanillin oak notes with the preserved plum and berry flavours. The full-bodied nature means it can handle robust dishes like grilled red meats, aged cheeses, or rich stews that won't be overwhelmed by its intensity.

The exceptional scores of 96 and 95 points from respected critics Wine Orbit and Ken Gargett place this wine in the top tier of Australian Shiraz. These ratings suggest outstanding quality across all aspects - aromatics, palate complexity, structure, and ageing potential. Such high scores from multiple critics indicate consistent excellence and suggest this wine represents exceptional value for a Reserve-level McLaren Vale Shiraz.

Bec Hardy represents the continuation of one of Australia's most legendary winemaking dynasties, bringing generations of expertise to modern winemaking. The Hardy family's deep understanding of South Australian terroir, combined with contemporary techniques, creates wines that honour tradition while embracing innovation. Her involvement ensures this Shiraz benefits from both historical knowledge of McLaren Vale and cutting-edge winemaking practices that maximise the expression of this premium vineyard site.

This Reserve Shiraz has the structure and complexity to develop beautifully over 8-12 years from vintage. The combination of concentrated fruit, balanced tannins, and quality oak provides the backbone for extended ageing, during which the chocolate and coffee notes will integrate further with the dark berry flavours. The wine's full-bodied nature and McLaren Vale's reputation for age-worthy Shiraz suggest it will reward patient cellaring with increased complexity and elegance.