Haselgrove The Ambassador Single Vineyard Shiraz 2019

The ambassador in this case is the former highly respected curator of the Adelaide Oval, Les Burdett OAM. If you are not a cricket fan, ask someone. If you are, no introduction necessary. He must be very proud to have such a wine named after him. 3,024 bottles only. Proceeds go to Variety, the children’s charity. Do you really need any other reason to buy a bottle? From estate vineyards at McLaren Flat from vines planted in 1972. Crushed without destemming to open fermenters for three days cold soaking under gas. Eight days on skins with regular pumping over, thrice daily. Maturation in a mix of oak for 18 months. Dark maroon in colour, this is seriously concentrated and yet delightfully perfumed. Spices, black fruits, chocolate, coffee grinds, aniseed and woodsmoke, this is a classic McLaren Vale Shiraz bursting forth from the glass. Good acidity and superb length, with fine balance and a seamless and supple palate. A clean, tight and intense finish with ten years plus ahead of it. This is textbook.