The perfect balance between power and elegance is present here in 'The Descendant' Shiraz by III Associates. Lifted perfume of violet and red fruits courtesy of older oak used lets the fruit sing.

Awards & Reviews95 Points - Sam Kim 94 Points - James HallidayDescriptionDescriptionIntense spice, berry and chocolate aromas with integrated oak notes. Full Bodied and bursting with a complex mix of flavours of mocha, vanilla and intense red berry flavours. Great middle palate sweetness with well integrated American oak.Drink now to 15 years.

Name ‘Paralarva’ is essentially the younger sibling of the ‘Squid Ink’ range. Paralarvaare young squidin the planktonic stages between hatchling and subadult. It represents a style that is more about expression of fruit with a minimal influence of oak and is a wine to be enjoyed in a more youthful state. This fruit driven style has becoming more popular in recent years from all growing districts around Australia. Vineyard This Estate owned single vineyard really is the epitome of what defines one of the greatest vineyards in Australia, where the famous Black Bay of Biscay Clay soil ensures fantastic depth of colour and concentration. Positioned at about 120m above sea level and 8kms inland this North/ South facing vineyard is in the heart of McLaren Vale. We pride ourselves in sustainable viticulture practices and having true respect for the value of our vineyards and the fruit they create. Monitoring and measuring the vines is a crucial part of maintaining fruit quality of this level with a key focus being on the soil health and how this impacts the vine, the fruit and in turn the wine and the experience. The fruit for this wine is picked a little earlier to ensure a slightly lower alcohol level. Winery In the winery The Descendant of Squid Ink Shiraz fruit is treated with utmost respect, ensuring quality from start to finish. With a 2 day cold soak prior to a slow cool fermentation for gentle extraction colour, flavour and tannin extraction are closely monitored with different fermentation cap management applied accordingly. Following fermentation, the wine is then matured in a special selection of the finest 4 year old seasoned American oak Hogshead (300L) oak barrels for 9 months. Maturation 9 Months in well-seasoned 4 year old American Oak, Hogshead (300L) oak barrels. Colour Deep red with vibrant purple hues. Nose Deep dark fruits with some black olive, earthy complexity entice the senses followed by complementing dusty oak characters. Palate Fresh vibrant fruit coats the mouth, complimenting the gentle, soft furry tannins and spice that line the mouth and leave a lasting impression. Cellaring Drink now or cellar for 7+ years.

In true McLaren Vale style, Serafino Magnitude Shiraz shows the rich fruit of the vintage, complex and integrated through maturation in French and American oak for 20 months.

Kay Brothers Basket Pressed Shiraz has a rich and complex bouquet that promises something special and it certainly delivers. The palate is laden with generous plum, blackberry and spice and the length is exceptional. This one is a keeper! More to the savoury side of Shiraz, it is about texture more than just fruit.

The Hill Block straddles the ridge running through the Chapel Hill estate. The wine was then aged for 19 months in 100% tight grained French oak. The proportion of new oak was kept low to encourage the continued expression of the characters that are unique to the vineyard site.

ColourVery attractive crimson black colour. DenseAromaVery lifted and perfumed, spicy, almost nutty fruit/ oak complexity. A touch of that peaty character which is so typical of the old vines in Block 9.PalateSoft, rich, flavoursome palate with lovely spice and pepper complexity lingering. Not sweet, more savoury and elegant in style. A great follow on from the 2010 Reserve Shiraz. This is an impressive example of old vine Blewitt Springs Shiraz.

This is the third release of this wine drawing fruit from our Blewitt Springs vineyard sitting on sandy soil offering excellent drainage and resistance to disease and this year using Grenache from our friends at Dog Ridge. The wise old ladies from Blewitt Springs (shiraz) have teamed up with spicy Grenache from McLaren Flat producing fruit of uncommon intensity and flavour. This wine is flavoursome showing chocolate, spice and a sweet earthy palate finishing with powdery tannins and length. Enjoy now or cellar up to 10 years.94/100 Kim Brebach94/100 Wine Showcase