Paxton Quandong Farm Shiraz McLaren Vale, 2017

Dense ruby in colour, with aromas of dark chocolate, spices, mint, blackberries and a hint of smoke. Quandong Farm Shiraz 2017 is smooth, rich and full bodied. When David Paxton purchased this plot in McLaren Vale he allegedly told the real estate agent he was going to plant Quandong trees (an indigenous Australian tree) on it to avoid the premium placed on land used for vineyards. Produced from 100% Shiraz, vines are planted on a west facing slope at 70 to 100 metres on shallow loam soils over limestone. Grapes were picked by hand and 40% of the harvest whole-bunch fermented. Regular punching down during fermentation was followed by maturation in new and old French oak barrels for 12 months.