93 points – "Winemaker Ben Riggs has for the past 18 years donated proceeds from The Gaffer to a broad range of cancer research. Apart from the good cause it contributes to, the wine itself has a worthy place as a full regional snapshot, sourced from five vineyards across different sub-districts of the Vale, all vinified separately with an average of 90% French and 10% American oak employed before the blending of parts. All eyes here on showcasing rich black fruits wrapped in some enticing Aussie terroir and winemaking influence in the form of lovely dark choc-mint background notes. Definitely focused on flavour, yet with impressive structural integrity evenly set to still allow a softly-softly finish through the palate. A handsome wine in anyone’s language." – Tony Love (Wine Pilot)

93 points – "Straight off the bat this is as good an example of this wine as I have seen. It’s from an excellent McLaren Vale vintage which is reflected in a vibrant, expressive, rich, and lavishly textured Shiraz. Perfumed plummy cherry notes on the nose lead into a palate that is smooth and seamlessly woven with its mix of 90% French oak and the remainder American. A balancing chalky mouthfeel really sets this off." – Ray Jordan (Wine Pilot)

91 points – "This is a pretty handy wine, brimful of sweet, jammy, licorice-infused fruit flavour and lightly adorned with peppercorn and toast notes. Fruit is the hero rather than oak, but there are just enough hints of the latter to fill it out a bit. This is ready to rip now." – Campbell Mattinson (The Wine Front)

The Gaffer Shiraz
The Gaffer is a tribute to Ben Riggs’ great-great-great grandfather, John "The Gaffer" Riggs (1814–1902), one of South Australia's most renowned farmers. This McLaren Vale Shiraz was created to celebrate 150 years of the Riggs family's rich farming heritage in South Australia. Since 2006, The Gaffer Shiraz has worn its pink cap in recognition of our partnership with the Flinders Foundation and their fight against cancer.

Vineyard
The fruit for The Gaffer is sourced from five vineyards: Martins, Gateway, John Rivers, Tim Hunts, and Piebald Gully. These vineyards span different sub-regions of McLaren Vale, from the warmest, earliest-picked sites to the coolest, latest-picked vineyards. Blending these sub-regions brings out the best of the variety and is key to The Gaffer’s iconic style.

Vintage
The region’s mild summer and warm autumn resulted in a slow, gentle ripening period and a delayed harvest, producing outstanding fruit. Grape picking took eight weeks, beginning at full pace in early March and concluding in mid-April. Rainfall was below average, and overall yields were lower than in 2021. The 2022 vintage produced red wines with intense, rich, and balanced flavours and colours, while the whites showcased vibrant aromatics and natural acidity.

Winemaking
All components of The Gaffer are kept separate throughout the winemaking process. The fruit is left on skins for 7–10 days in 5-tonne open fermenters. After fermentation, 20% of the wine is pressed straight to barrel. Maturation occurs in oak, with 90% French and 10% American barrels. The wine is then carefully blended just before bottling, ensuring only the best components make up the classic Gaffer style.

Tasting Note
The Gaffer Shiraz is a testament to the best of McLaren Vale. A medium-weight Shiraz, it is soft, flavoursome, and fruit-driven. Distinctive McLaren Vale characteristics shine through with a spine of sweet, warm tannins, while the palate bursts with crunchy, bright red berries. A wine worth sharing with good friends to help raise funds for a great cause.