2018 Pertaringa Over the Top Shiraz Museum Release

The name Pertaringa means 'belonging to the hills' and originates from the local Kaurna indigenous language. Established in 1980 by leading South Australian viticulturalists Geoff Hardy and Ian Leask, the Pertaringa vineyards located in the foothills behind McLaren Vale, have consistently produced rich, full flavoured, value for money reds. The soils are enriched from the hills above and the cooler climate further tempered by the sea breezes off St Vincent’s Gulf, sets the scene for the production of high quality wine grapes. Today the sole custodian of Pertaringa, Bec Hardy, daughter of Geoff continues on a rich family heritage of working in the wine industry which was started by her great-great-great grandfather Thomas Hardy.
Dense midnight black core with a deep dark red black tinged hue. Elevated liquorice, blackberry and dark plum aromas mix with vanillin cedar, earthy fennel and subtle pepper notes. Rich, ripe and silky, the palate has become more toned and refined with bottle age featuring lush blackberry, liquorice and dark plum fruits over a spicy vanillin cedar, earth and peppered fennel back drop. Showing ample concentration and power it has a velvety tannin structure and finishes long and opulent yet surprisingly not over the top. With age comes a more civilised style.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 15%

First tasted August 2020: Magnificent saturated inky black colour with an equally deep dark red black hue. Potent black cherry, liquorice and blackberry scents waft from the glass trailed by hints of dark chocolate, vanillin cedar, light earth and spice. Boasting formidable palate presence, heft and concentration, rich blackberry, liquorice and black cherry flavours fill every corner of the mouth, a judicious use of oak allowing the opulent fruit to shine through. Luxuriously textured and tremendously powerful, nuances of vanillin oak, subtle earthy dark chocolate and spicy pepper characters are also present. Sturdily built tannins have an attractive, silky feel and work in tandem with nicely balanced acidity. Hard to resist now it finishes with a long seductive aftertaste.
Will drink well over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 15%
96 points