2017 Ministry of Clouds Shiraz

After almost three decades of shared experience in the wine industry, Bernice Ong and Julian Forwood decided to have a crack at their own venture sourcing fruit mainly from high quality vineyards in McLaren Vale to produce wines under their Ministry of Clouds label. The 2017 McLaren Vale Shiraz was sourced from a 72 year old dry grown Blewitt Springs vineyard and a younger Clarendon vineyard. 10% whole bunches were included and the wine was matured in a mixture of old French oak hogsheads and a foudre for 12 months.

Long, savoury and sumptuous this is a brilliant expression of modern McLaren Vale Shiraz.

Dense inky black colour with a deep dark red black hue. Intense blackberry and liquorice aromas have a gentle clove overlay with vanillin cedar, fennel and light pepper notes ensuing. Rich blackberry, blueberry, black cherry and liquorice flavours flow evenly across the opulently textured, full bodied palate. Fennel, subtle infusions of clove, light spicy vanillin cedar and pepper all chime in on the finish for added complexity. Good balanced acidity provides some tension and perfectly integrated tannins and are velvet like. Excellent power finishing long, savoury and sumptuous.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 13.8%

Other Reviews….
Hand-picked, open-fermented with 10% whole bunches, the balance whole berries, matured in used French oak for 12 months. The bright crimson-purple hue is a welcome sight, and the wine doesn't disappoint. It takes the best of the regional characters, the vinification an unqualified success. A delicious medium-bodied shiraz. Drink by 2032.
95 points
James Halliday – Australian Wine Companion