Description
McLaren Vale is one of the most exciting and innovative wine regions in Australia, with some of our favourite producers kicking goals in the coastal winemaking oasis.
Here are six of our favourite reds from the region that gives you a fresh, modern look at the current state of play in The Vale.
All Hail!
- 2022 Dune Ain Salah Cinsault
- 2022 Somos Mencia
- 2023 Brash Higgins RIPPLE Nero Cabernet
- 2020 Varney Wines GSM
- 2022 Aphelion The Confluence Grenache
- 2022 Bondar Violet Hour Shiraz
2022 Dune Ain Salah Cinsault
Made in only minuscule quantities, this single-varietal Cinsault from Dune is a wine to jump on quickly before it’s all gone.
Cinsault is a fascinating variety and one proving to be well-suited to the sunshine of the Vale. Easy to grow, light-bodied and full of bright red fruits - it's a name we're bound to see a lot more of.
This is a jubey, spicy, herbal, wildly delicious little red. Low alcohol and low tannin make it the perfect lunchtime option too, and it loves 20 minutes in the fridge!
Gulp gulp gulp!
2022 Somos Mencia
The Somos range is constantly evolving with new delicious creations being added to the stable every year.
The latest new delight is this vibrant, bouncy Mencia nicknamed 'The Iberian Lynx' by the Somos lads.
Mencia is originally from Spain but it has found a happy home here in the Adelaide Hills. A bunch of different ferments combined, some whole berry, some with loads of bunches, all coming together into a perfect easy-drinking package.
It's a bright, almost jubey red that they've put together. Bursting with sweet berry flavours and some spicy green herbs, this is another big win for the Somos duo.
2023 Brash Higgins RIPPLE Nero Cabernet
Brash Higgins came up with this wine after one of his fellow winemakers suggested he take whole bunch Nero d'Avola, flood it with Cabernet Sauvignon juice and let the concoction ferment.
He was both intrigued and haunted by this idea - so, a couple of years later, he gave it a go and the RIPPLE was born.
It's a mouthwateringly juicy wine that's truly delightful to drink, and the smash factor is dialled way, way up. Only a small amount was produced, so don't hesitate and get your hands on one tout de suit...
2020 Varney Wines GSM
This is the quintessential McLaren Vale GSM.
It's a classic case of right varieties grown in the right place. Alan Varney knows how to put these blends together in just the right way thanks to years of experience making wine in South Australia.
He's nailed this wine. The rosy red fruits of the bush vine Grenache coupled with the sweet dark fruits of the Shiraz and the savouriness of the Mataro, it's a winning combination.
95 Points
"As Rhone-like as it gets... old vines, propitious siting and the confidence to extract with an MO of savoury complexity and strident tannins that ready one for the 5th glass rather than one sip ... before lights out."
- Ned Goodwin MW (Halliday Wine Companion)
2022 Aphelion The Confluence Grenache
Crafting McLaren Vale Grenache is the main game for Rob Mack and Louise Rhodes at Aphelion. It's a game they are very skilled at. Every egg a bird, as they say.
Sourced predominantly from a single vineyard in the Blewitt Springs subregion, this fresh and vital version of Grenache is set decidedly to a "Drink-Me-Now" tempo.
It's the composite blend of the three Aphelion Grenaches, combining both whole berry and whole bunch into one seamless wine.
94+ points
"This is a superstar producer in the Grenache space. At $38 AUD, this is a compelling wine. Exciting!"
- Erin Larkin (The Wine Advocate)
2022 Bondar Violet Hour Shiraz
The name 'Violet Hour' refers to the fading light owners Andre Bondar and Selina Kelly saw on the horizon as they picked the last bunches of Shiraz for their first-ever release, the 2012 edition of this wine. A violet sky, a beautiful wine, and a new future ahead for the couple and their vines.
The Violet Hour tastes as stylish as it looks, it hits that sweet spot for all red wine lovers - a combination of elegance and power.
The pedigree of the Bondar's Rayner vineyard in McLaren Vale is second to none - it's one of the most respected sites in the region where Seaview and Blewitt Springs meet. You get the lively, bright blue fruits of the sandy soils of Blewitt Springs with the power and structure of the Seaview terroir. It's a winning combination. The quality of the Shiraz speaks for itself.
Put simply, if you like McLaren Vale Shiraz with a fresh face - this is a must-buy.
95 points
"This is harmonious and poised, everything serenely balanced, unstretched. To echo an earlier review, this is a tremendous bargain." - Marcus Ellis (Halliday Wine Companion)
"This is crafted to perfection, perfect for exuberant drinking straight from
Others also liked
Recently viewed
Shipping
Delivery is free on orders of $150 or more!
For orders under this amount, delivery is calculated at checkout based on your postcode. You can order in any quantity or combination of wines you like. Straight dozens are not required.
We will dispatch your order the same or next business day.
Estimated delivery transit time varies depending on your location. Please review this page for specific estimates.
Sydney (Our Vans): If no one is home and there are no special delivery instructions our driver will try to call for instructions. If the driver believes there is a safe space to leave your wine they will do so if not, they will return the item to us and hold your order until further instruction from you.
Melbourne (Anonymous Wine Freight): If no one is home and there are no special delivery instructions, the courier will try to call for instructions. If the driver believes there is a safe space to leave your wine they will do so. if not, they will return the item to their dispatch centre and hold until further instruction from you.
Australia Post: Australia Post will leave the parcel if they have been given authority to leave and it is deemed safe to do so. To give your Authority to Leave, please enter this in the 'SPECIAL REQUEST' box at checkout.
Ordering
We want Different Drop customers to always be getting the best price. If you see a lower price elsewhere, just get in touch and we will sort it out for you. We handle all our price-matching on a case by case basis.
Some things to keep in mind:
- Retrospective price-matching is available for 30 days after you have purchased from us.
- The price match cannot be used in conjunction with a coupon or one-off deal we are offering. The idea is for you to get the best price in the market so if that is already achieved through a coupon then we won't price match on top of that.
- We don't price match clearance or fire sales.
- We’ll match the listed price as long as it is a legitimate offer and the competing store is actually able to fulfil the order (they have stock or more stock is en route). Essentially we won't price match cheeky vendors listing wines they have no hope of actually getting for you...
- It must be a publicly listed price. We won't match a price that has been achieved through a coupon/cash-back arrangement, or through a non-advertised offer over the phone or otherwise.
- It is limited to a reasonable retail quantity.
We'll treat each price match request on its merit and reserve the right to refuse where we deem fit. For example, particularly rare wines, from non-trust-worthy vendors, in circumstances we deem illegitimate or if we feel our policy is being unfairly taken advantage of.
At the end of the day, we'll look after you and use common sense to ensure you're getting the best price, please just don't take the p%$$!
No, feel free to mix it up! There is no minimum requirement. You can order wines in any quantity or combination, 1 or 50+ bottles.
We stock three different sized gift boxes (single, three bottle and six), all are available for purchase for a flat rate of $8. They look great and make an awesome impression.
To add a gift box to your order, simply add at checkout. The special requests box is your friend, please give us as many details of what you are looking for and we will try our best, or get in contact to discuss it with you.
If you want to bulk order gifts or if you have any trouble please email hello@differentdrop.com or call and we can try and help.
If you can't add more wine to your cart it means we are low on stock of that wine. For example, if you are only able to 3 bottles and no more that means we only have 3 bottles left of that wine. If it's a must have, please contact us and we may be able to order more in for you.
Just want to talk to someone?
Please don't ever hesitate - we would love to help! Whether it's a problem we can fix, a wine you're not 100% sure on or if you simply want to talk about wine, food and the meaning of life, we are here for you.