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Region
McLaren Vale, South Australia
Variety
Grenache
Shiraz
Mourvedre
Tasting Notes
In its youth, d’Arenberg’s The Ironstone Pressings has a deep, dark plum-purple color
matched by just as intense black cherry, spice, plum, strawberry, a little liquorice
and brooding blackcurrant aromas. Mulberry, ripe plum and fresh pepper
dominate the rich full-bodied palate before a long, intense, rolling, dark cherry
spice and gritty tannin finish.
Eventually, the Grenache and Shiraz blossom as rich, sweet, violet-like scents,
with spicy based aroma, before malty, sweet, dark chocolate flavors and
crunchy, chewy textured black olive, spicy ginger and long fleshy textures. The
Mourvedre adds dried herbs and iodine characters, which are very persistent,
matched with slightly chalky tannins.
The hallmark of vigorous, fine piquant tannin and acidity continue to reside with
The Ironstone Pressings after some considerable time, as have previous vintages
since the late 1950’s. Background
Most of McLaren Vale’s acclaimed and ancient vineyard land is impregnated with
ancient, decomposed laterite granite known as “Ironstone”. Its extraordinary rusty
red-brown color is derived from the iron oxides present in the stone. The larger
pieces were cleared from the vineyard late last century and utilized in many of the
buildings at d'Arenberg and in the district.
It is indeed fitting that “Ironstone” is the first name given to this old Osborn family
favorite as it helps, both above and below ground to produce our traditional
pressings wine.
Accolades
2003
Wine & Spirits Magazine
Feb. 2006
90 pts
Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate
Issue 161
92 pts
Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar
Aug/Sept 2005
90 pts
2002
Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar
July/Aug 2004
90+ pts
2001
Wine Spectator
Weekly Online 15 May 2003
92 pts
Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate
Issue 143, October 2002
93 pts
2000
Wine Spectator
Mar 31, 2003
90 points
Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate
Issue 143/Oct 2002
90 points
View all accolades
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