Ministry of Clouds McLaren Vale Shiraz
Ministry of Clouds McLaren Vale Shiraz

2023 Ministry of Clouds McLaren Vale Shiraz

93 pts
Ministry of Clouds |McLaren Vale |Shiraz
A fresher, more food-friendly take on McLaren Vale Shiraz from a pair of producers who really know how to let their sites do the talking.
5.0
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars
1 Review
Price:
$29.00 $35.00
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Description

This is McLaren Vale Shiraz through a slightly different lens - more about energy and balance than sheer power. It’s a blend of fruit from two standout sites: Blewitt Springs brings brightness and perfume, while the Onkaparinga Rocks vineyard adds a bit more structure and depth.

There’s some whole bunch in the ferment, which adds a gentle herbal edge and a bit of grip, but nothing too shouty. The fruit sits in that red/blue spectrum - think mulberries, cherries, maybe a little plum - with some earthy, savoury notes keeping things grounded. It sees a mix of oak and even a stint in a concrete egg, but none of that gets in the way. Everything feels in the right place.

This is a really versatile, medium-bodied Shiraz - built to work on the table, not take it over. It'll go nicely with grilled lamb or something smoky off the barbecue, but it’s also easy to enjoy on its own. Drink now or over the next 5–6 years.

93 points
"Bright of fruit, with brambly red and some black berries, a little herbal hedgerow and pepper, this is a poised, lightly juicy, medium-bodied affair. It’s one for the table and seems thoughtfully pitched to cross a range of dishes and cuisines."
- Marcus Ellis (Halliday Wine Companion)

93 points - "Fruit from vineyards both on Onkaparinga Rocks and Maslin Sands, with the latter vines dating back to the '60s. Some parcels destemmed and some whole bunch, skin contact both brief and extended, with maturation in puncheons and foudres. Bright of fruit, with brambly red and some black berries, a little herbal hedgerow and pepper, this is a poised, lightly juicy, medium-bodied affair. It’s one for the table and seems thoughtfully pitched to cross a range of dishes and cuisines." - Marcus Ellis (Halliday Wine Companion)

Customer Reviews

5.0
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars
Based on 1 review
Total 5 star reviews: 1 Total 4 star reviews: 0 Total 3 star reviews: 0 Total 2 star reviews: 0 Total 1 star reviews: 0
1 review
  • AB
    Amanda B.
    Verified Buyer
    1 year ago
    Reviewing
    2022 Ministry of Clouds McLaren Vale Shiraz
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Elegant Shirax

    Ministry of Clouds is one of my favorite producers -- their grenache, shriraz and tempranillo are all delicious. Not to fruity or jammy, just elegant goodness.

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Sand & Stones may break my bones, but geology will never hurt me…

Born of one of the most ancient and geologically diverse wine regions in the world, McLaren Vale, this wine is made from Australia’s most ubiquitous grape – Shiraz. With the aim that this Shiraz reflects our view of the region, we combine fruit from a Blewitt Springs deep sandy vineyard, and a younger more structured and fragrant parcel from the shallow old bedrock of our own Onkaparinga Rocks vineyard in the hope of a more modern, slender and youthful expression.

Composition
An exercise in slender power, bringing early picked McLaren Vale Shiraz characters exhibited by cool blue and red fruit with layers of coal dust and earth to entice, supported by a gentle oak creaminess, which progresses to the palate exhibiting a deep fruit weight kept bright, nervy, and fleshy and filed down nicely by a fine and mineral tannin line.

Consumption
Ideal serving temperature is 16 °C... God forbid a Shiraz that won’t dominate all food placed before it. Try with spicy Catalan Fish Stew with grilled rye and aioli. Cool cellaring between 5 years to 8 years will be rewarded.

Price Bracket $31 to $40
Type Red
Body Medium Bodied
Variety Shiraz
Country Australia
Region McLaren Vale
Australian State SA
Feature Women in Wine
Reviewed By Halliday Wine Companion
Critic Score 93
Alcohol 14%
Size 750ml
Vintage 2023
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Ministry of Clouds

Ministry of Clouds is a partnership between wine industry 'veterans' Bernice Ong and Julian Forwood, who set up the venture in 2013, with their first releases coming in 2015.

Having worked for some of Australia's leading wineries such as Yalumba and Wirra Wirra, the duo began sourcing outstanding fruit from Tasmania and Clare Valley for white wines, and McLaren Vale for reds.

McLaren Vale is their home, and as well as their own 11ha plot, they seek out old vineyards around the peninsula, with a focus on Grenache, Mataro, Shiraz and Tempranillo, along with the occasional foray into Carignan and Picpoul.

Bernice Ong and Julian Forwood Discover Ministry of Clouds

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