Pertaringa 'Belonging to the Hills' Reserve Shiraz 2022

This Reserve Shiraz showcases the distinctive terroir of McLaren Vale's elevated vineyard sites, as suggested by 'Belonging to the Hills'. The higher altitude and cooler conditions contribute to the wine's exceptional concentration and complexity, allowing the Shiraz grapes to develop intense flavours while retaining natural acidity. The result is a wine that balances McLaren Vale's signature power with remarkable finesse and age-worthiness.

Serve this wine at 16-18°C to allow its complex aromatics to fully express themselves. The rich chocolate and coffee notes make it an ideal companion for grilled red meats, aged cheeses, or dark chocolate desserts. Consider decanting for 30-60 minutes to soften the tannins and enhance the preserved plum and berry characteristics, especially if enjoying within the next few years.

The 96-point Wine Orbit rating and 95-point Ken Gargett score place this Shiraz in the exceptional category, indicating outstanding quality and complexity. These scores from respected Australian wine critics suggest the wine demonstrates perfect varietal expression, excellent winemaking technique, and significant ageing potential. Such high ratings typically indicate a wine that will develop beautifully over the next 10-15 years.

Bec Hardy represents the fifth generation of the legendary Hardy wine family, bringing over 150 years of winemaking heritage to Pertaringa. Her involvement ensures traditional Australian winemaking wisdom combined with modern techniques and innovation. The Hardy family's deep understanding of McLaren Vale terroir and their commitment to quality winemaking is reflected in this Reserve Shiraz's exceptional character and complexity.

The 2022 vintage in McLaren Vale was characterised by ideal growing conditions that produced wines of exceptional concentration and balance. The season allowed for optimal flavour development in Shiraz grapes, resulting in wines with intense colour, rich fruit character, and well-integrated tannins. This vintage is already showing remarkable potential for long-term cellaring, with the structure and complexity to evolve gracefully over the next decade.