Components of the Mr. Riggs Shiraz from all four vineyards were fermented in traditional open fermenters, and following pressing, finished their fermentation in oak of which approximately 80% was French and the balance American, 40% of which was new oak. Vineyard parcels were kept separate during fermentation and maturation and were blended three months prior to bottling. This is the ninth release of Shiraz under the Mr. Riggs label, and in the Mr. Riggs McLaren Vale Shiraz mould, pristine fruit with dark red berries, hints of spice, earth, tar and leather, with seamlessly integrated oak are the prime characteristics. Ripe tannins are apparent but not overwhelming, meaning this is a wine which can be enjoyed now or in the next 10-15 years.
The Vineyards
The Mr. Riggs Shiraz is a blend of four great McLaren Vale Shiraz vineyards; Penny's Hill, Piebald Gully, Edgehill and Bradens. The vineyards are owned/managed by four of the best-known McLaren Vale growers, namely Tony Parkinson (Penny's Hill), Ben Riggs (Piebald Gully) and Joch Bosworth (Edgehill and Bradens). Perhaps one of Australia's most consistent wine growing regions, McLaren Vale enjoys a very Mediterranean climate driven by dominant winter rainfall, low humidity, warm summers, and the moderating infl uence of the nearby Gulf St. Vincent.
Penny's Hill, located in the central foothills district of McLaren Vale, is deliberately narrow planted for low yield, and on shallow loam soils over clay the site combines low water holding capacity, slight elevation from the surrounding valley floor (140 metres approximately) and the benefi t of the cooling gully winds from the hills.
Piebald Gully is situated in the coolest sub-region of McLaren Vale, bordering the Adelaide Hills. It's planted in deep sand over orange ironstone impregnated friable clay and produces late ripening vines and finer, prettier styles of Shiraz. Edgehill and Bradens vineyards, towards Willunga, are two of the Bosworth family's many successful plantings in the region. Both have been progressively converted to an organic certifi cation and contribute outstanding fruit; Braden's from what was originally an almond orchard.
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