Homeless Grapes Project Shiraz 2020

Beyond its exceptional quality crafted by Ben Riggs, this Shiraz represents a unique community collaboration where all proceeds support Adelaide's Hutt St Centre. The grapes were donated by Jock Harvey of Chalk Hill and hand-picked by volunteers, making each bottle a testament to collective generosity. This social enterprise model is rare in the wine industry, combining McLaren Vale's renowned terroir with meaningful community impact.

The chocolate notes emerge from McLaren Vale's warm climate allowing optimal fruit ripeness, while the cigarbox character develops through careful winemaking techniques that preserve the wine's natural tannin structure. These secondary flavours complement the primary blackcurrant fruit, creating the complexity that full-bodied Shiraz is famous for. The interplay between these elements reflects the region's ability to produce wines with both power and elegance.

McLaren Vale's Mediterranean climate, with warm days and cool sea breezes from the nearby coast, creates perfect conditions for Shiraz to develop intense fruit concentration while maintaining natural acidity. The region's diverse soils, from sand over clay to ironstone, contribute to the wine's complexity and earthy tannin structure. This terroir combination allows Shiraz to express both the rich, dark fruit characteristics and the subtle spice notes that define quality Australian Shiraz.

The wine's rich blackcurrant fruit and chocolate undertones make it perfect for grilled red meats, particularly lamb with rosemary or beef with pepper crusts. The cigarbox complexity and earthy tannins also complement aged cheeses and hearty stews. The full-bodied nature means it can stand up to bold flavours and rich sauces, while the smooth finish ensures it won't overpower more delicate preparations like roasted vegetables with herbs.

Store this Shiraz in a cool, dark place at around 12-15°C to preserve its complex flavour profile and allow proper aging. Serve at 16-18°C to fully appreciate the blackcurrant fruit and chocolate notes - too warm and the alcohol becomes prominent, too cool and the flavours remain muted. Decanting for 30-60 minutes before serving will help integrate the tannins and allow the cigarbox complexity to fully emerge, enhancing your overall tasting experience.