Brick Kiln Vineyard, McClaren Vale
Brick Kiln represents my first venture into McClaren Vale, a wine area just south of Adelaide and I am really excited since I at last have a straight Shiraz to really yell about! After my experience here in February 2000 when I picked grapes during vintage here at a dollar a bucket for 2 days ( that’s all I could handle, it was a real scrum) I had a slightly tarnished view that this wine region did not care for its grapes and land very much.
Indeed it seems that Malcolm and Alison McKinnon, Garry and Nancy Watson and Ian and Pene Davey rescued the site for this wonderful wine when in January 2001 they bought it since the Nine Gums Vineyard, just over the Brick Kiln Bridge, was in a state of disrepair and needed some serious TLC. Five years on the vineyard produces soft, ripe, luscious fruit and this 2004 Shiraz is now sold out in Australia, which is not surprising. Its shiraz how it should be and I have been searching for such a wine for well over 2 years so I think this wine will create a wonderful impression here in the UK.
2004
Shiraz
The climate in 2004 was cold from January through to March then it warmed up. There was little rain. Fruit was picked over a two week period from the end of March onwards at beaume readings of 14.8 and 15. The wine was matured in Oak ( 20% French, 80% American) and bottled on the 10th May 2005.
“ The 2004 Brick Kiln Shiraz is already showing signs of being an exceptional wine, with a high degree of elegance and balance, a peppery finish to the palate and the full body one has come to expect from Brick kiln Shiraz”
Malcolm Mckinnon, co-owner
“ a voluptuous, rich array of dark
chocolate and bright red plum and blackberry fruit; fruit driven, minimal
oak, carries 15% alcohol easily”
James Halliday
Price: £16.50
Mr Whirly says
“ Brick Kiln has indeed turned out to be the Shiraz I desired as my first example of this varietal ( on its tod that is), that has in many ways put Australia on the map in terms of quality mid to top end price range wines. It is softer than some Shiraz’s further north and not so sweet and sometimes “overheated”. It has a sublime richness with lingering perfumes of vanilla pods and rice pudding! Yet it is fresh and robust with delicate blackberry, cassis and redcurrant intermingled with cocoa, almond and five spice. The wine deserves a decanter as well as having a deep crust at its bottom. Enjoy with a peppered fillet steak?”
Prices...
(all prices are per bottle and ex vat.
Unless stated the bottles are 750ml)
Whilst Whirly wine will endeavour to maintain prices
at the same level we reserve the right to change the prices of the wines
without given notice. This will invariably be due to the fluctuation of
currency rates and therefore beyond our control
Wines will be delivered, where possible, within 48 hours but this cannot be guaranteed. The majority of deliveries throughout the UK will be charged at a set rate of £9.95 plus VAT but this depends on the number of cases ordered and exactly where the delivery is to in the UK. Please ask for delivery rates at the time of ordering. Delivery from the “ Whirly Van” will be charged at £7.50 plus VAT.
Whirly wine reserves the right not to sell any wine to anyone who it suspects of being less than 18 years old