d’Arenberg The Footbolt Shiraz

d’Arenberg founder Joseph Osborn was a keen racehorse owner and Footbolt was his pride and joy. And clearly helped put a coin or two in his back pocket given the fact he sold his horses to buy the d’Arenberg property in 1912.

The fruit was basket pressed (an expensive, labour intensive winery tool used to produce high quality fruit!) and aged for 12-18 months in seasoned French oak – it’s a style the d’Arenberg crew call a “Classic McLaren Vale Shiraz, rich, ripe red berry fruits and great fruit length” while James Halliday’s Wine Companion says “A foundational house wine, both for d’Arenberg and many a loyalist drawn to its old-school trappings and affordability.”

It scored 90/100 & Top Value Award with The Real Review’s Aaron Brasher who said “Dark and inky in the glass. Opulent aromas of plum, mulberry, anise, graphite and spice. Chewy, dark fruited and mouth-filling, with plenty of plush fruit all being shaped up by some rather dry and grippy tannins. Needs some protein.”

This McLaren Vale number will be hot to trot up to 8-9 years from vintage. d’Arenberg The Footbolt Shiraz