d'Arenberg

The Dead Arm McLaren Vale Shiraz

9.2867 ratings
9.1116 pro ratings
McLaren Vale, Fleurieu, South Australia, Australia
Shiraz
Beef, Venison, Chocolate & Caramel, White Rice, Lamb, Pasta, Potato, Mushrooms, Salami & Prosciutto, Chili & Hot Spicy, Tomato-Based, Pork, Pungent Cheese, Hard Cheese, Onion, Shallot, Garlic
Top Notes For
Bob McDonald

A rich deep Ruby in colour - right to the rim. Notes of creosote/tar together with blackberry and black currant. You wouldn’t pick its age by looking at it in the glass. The old vine origins giving a great intensity to the palate. This is d’Arenberg’s flagship from their McLaren Vale vineyards - from a warm vintage. I’ll try and have the last one in 2 years if I have the willpower.

A rich deep Ruby in colour - right to the rim. Notes of creosote/tar together with blackberry and black currant. You wouldn’t pick its age by looking at it in the glass. The old vine origins giving a great intensity to the palate. This is d’Arenberg’s flagship from their McLaren Vale vineyards - from a warm vintage. I’ll try and have the last one in 2 years if I have the willpower.

Mar 31st, 2023
Bob McDonald

Dark Ruby in colour - almost black and impenetrable. Notes of creosote, stewed black and red fruits and a note of crushed ant which is not meant to be disparaging. Grainy Tannins resolving with a pruney note on the medium to full bodied palate. I haven’t always enjoyed the Dead Arm but this was a beauty. The first of 3.

Dark Ruby in colour - almost black and impenetrable. Notes of creosote, stewed black and red fruits and a note of crushed ant which is not meant to be disparaging. Grainy Tannins resolving with a pruney note on the medium to full bodied palate. I haven’t always enjoyed the Dead Arm but this was a beauty. The first of 3.

Apr 30th, 2022
MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET

Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com

9.3

This is #Shiraz from #Australia Deep and brooding ruby color from #oldvines #mclarenvale On the nose blackberry black cherry blueberry and ink. Followed up by hints of oak, dark chocolate, cedar and toast. You can’t drink the whole bottle because between the power and depth and the 15% noticeable alcohol it would be kamikaze. But...you don’t care #hedonistic

This is #Shiraz from #Australia Deep and brooding ruby color from #oldvines #mclarenvale On the nose blackberry black cherry blueberry and ink. Followed up by hints of oak, dark chocolate, cedar and toast. You can’t drink the whole bottle because between the power and depth and the 15% noticeable alcohol it would be kamikaze. But...you don’t care #hedonistic

Sep 7th, 2020
David Kline

Shhh-yeah.

Shhh-yeah.

Mar 30th, 2018
Howard Yang

Very dark opaque burgundy/purple with slight brick hue showing, India ink, blackberry, black cherry, some tobacco undertone, licorice, nutmeg and raspberry, full body and round mouthfeel, tastes of berry, pomegranate, pepper and cedar, chewy and sweet tannin with firm backbone, long finish with spicy notes and Assam tea lingering on the tongue.

Very dark opaque burgundy/purple with slight brick hue showing, India ink, blackberry, black cherry, some tobacco undertone, licorice, nutmeg and raspberry, full body and round mouthfeel, tastes of berry, pomegranate, pepper and cedar, chewy and sweet tannin with firm backbone, long finish with spicy notes and Assam tea lingering on the tongue.

2 people found it helpfulMar 17th, 2015
Conrad Green

Very primary still after 20 years. A big wine with intense dark fruit. A little whiff of burn on the palate

Very primary still after 20 years. A big wine with intense dark fruit. A little whiff of burn on the palate

1 person found it helpfulFeb 26th, 2022
Matt

What a surprise, leathery baked fruit mixed with tar, smokey meat, roasted herbs and crushed black rocks. Richly textured, reminiscent of CNDP or Priorat to me

What a surprise, leathery baked fruit mixed with tar, smokey meat, roasted herbs and crushed black rocks. Richly textured, reminiscent of CNDP or Priorat to me

1 person found it helpfulDec 1st, 2018
Shay A
9.3

Wow! 18yrs old and doing just fine. For Australian Shiraz, I feel like the age on this shed its baby fat and gave it more Bordeaux characteristics...dusted cherries, oiled leather, black pepper, but it still retained its typical Aussie menthol finish. Delightful.

Wow! 18yrs old and doing just fine. For Australian Shiraz, I feel like the age on this shed its baby fat and gave it more Bordeaux characteristics...dusted cherries, oiled leather, black pepper, but it still retained its typical Aussie menthol finish. Delightful.

1 person found it helpfulNov 25th, 2017
Kenny Baldridge

Always a winner.

Always a winner.

1 person found it helpfulSep 12th, 2017