2024 Bondar Violet Hour Shiraz

A sumptuous, medium bodied McLaren Vale Shiraz that features rich, plush blue to black fruits.

Violet Hour is a blend of fruit from 10 blocks in Bondar’s Rayner vineyard, one of McLaren Vale’s better known vineyards. Each block has a different aspect, and soils range from deep sand with ironstone rocks to clay over limestone. The Shiraz vines are some of the oldest on the property, reaching 70 years in some blocks. Whole bunch and destemmed fruit is used, and the juice spends varying times on skins, depending on the block. The wine sees only seasoned oak, usually for a period of around 10 months.
Impenetrable inky black heart with a deep dark red black tinged hue. The wildly fragrant nose features dark plum, liquorice and ripe blueberry scents intermixed with dried herbs, fennel, scorched earth and pepper. Rich, plush liquorice, dark plum and black cherry fruits decorate the medium bodied palate with ripe blueberry, dried herb, earth and peppered fennel elements also chiming in to add further interest. Velvety yet structural tannins with a long, polished finish that makes for sumptuous drinking.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14%

Other Reviews….
Andre Bondar and Selina Kelly approach McLaren Vale shiraz like young renovators who’ve just inherited an old mansion from an eccentric old aunt. What was once dark has had the light let in, abundant artifacts and ornate over-stuffing replaced with cleaner lines and more open space. It’s still the beautiful place it always was, but is now more appealing to a contemporary market. If you’ve always loved McLaren Vale shiraz, you’ll still be happy here, and if you didn’t think it was for you, you’ll be surprised by how quickly you feel at home.
96 Points
Nick Ryan – The Weekend Australian’s Top 100 Wines