d'Arenberg
The Dead Arm McLaren Vale Shiraz
McLaren Vale, Fleurieu, South Australia, Australia
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, 2022Incredible depth of ripe fruit and concentration from the Eutypa Lata-affected vines which produce fruit for this Aussie icon. The oak is beautifully integrated so as to produce a unique character with sublime texture & balance. One of the world's great expressions of Shiraz. The 2002 showed a freshness which belied its 13 years of age and indicated great potential longevity.
Incredible depth of ripe fruit and concentration from the Eutypa Lata-affected vines which produce fruit for this Aussie icon. The oak is beautifully integrated so as to produce a unique character with sublime texture & balance. One of the world's great expressions of Shiraz. The 2002 showed a freshness which belied its 13 years of age and indicated great potential longevity.
1 person found it helpfulOct 25th, 2015All my friends should try this.
All my friends should try this.
1 person found it helpfulAug 25th, 2014I don't always drink #australianwine, but when I do, I prefer at least 10 years of bottle age.
I don't always drink #australianwine, but when I do, I prefer at least 10 years of bottle age.
Dec 4th, 2016
This is in a beautiful place right now, plenty of smoky, sweet red and black berry fruit but also starting to take on those developed notes of worn leather, black olive tapenade, melted liquorice and a sweet tar note. Soft and supple in the mouth but still enough acidity keeping the rich, sticky black cherry and blackberry fruit from becoming sickly. Great length with a prune and black olive flavour.
This is in a beautiful place right now, plenty of smoky, sweet red and black berry fruit but also starting to take on those developed notes of worn leather, black olive tapenade, melted liquorice and a sweet tar note. Soft and supple in the mouth but still enough acidity keeping the rich, sticky black cherry and blackberry fruit from becoming sickly. Great length with a prune and black olive flavour.
Sep 17th, 2015
Fully mature but still surprisingly full of life. A full Bodied wine for sure. Heady nose, dark fruit liquer (blackberry), smoke, grilled meat and tar notes along with terroir-revealing candied eucalyptus and menthol flavors dominate for me. Framed by dusty and old leather baseball glove notes. Also a hint of nutmeg. Palate is certainly full and a bit sappy but with very present medium acid and drying tannins. Day 2 became even more dark and brooding, steaky, and herbaceous with black fruits over grilled herbs de Provence. Don’t see this improving but with strong tannic structure could maintain peak form for another 2ish years
Fully mature but still surprisingly full of life. A full Bodied wine for sure. Heady nose, dark fruit liquer (blackberry), smoke, grilled meat and tar notes along with terroir-revealing candied eucalyptus and menthol flavors dominate for me. Framed by dusty and old leather baseball glove notes. Also a hint of nutmeg. Palate is certainly full and a bit sappy but with very present medium acid and drying tannins. Day 2 became even more dark and brooding, steaky, and herbaceous with black fruits over grilled herbs de Provence. Don’t see this improving but with strong tannic structure could maintain peak form for another 2ish years
May 28th, 2019
2002, 750ml bottle. Drank with oven baked Baby Back ribs. Did a dry rub. Medium tannins, nice ruby color in the glass, with a light fruit nose. Drinking well, and could last a few more years on the shelf. This was our last bottle in the cellar, misplaced for years - we drank all the others over 5 years ago when it was a much more powerful Shiraz.
2002, 750ml bottle. Drank with oven baked Baby Back ribs. Did a dry rub. Medium tannins, nice ruby color in the glass, with a light fruit nose. Drinking well, and could last a few more years on the shelf. This was our last bottle in the cellar, misplaced for years - we drank all the others over 5 years ago when it was a much more powerful Shiraz.
Jun 19th, 2018Smooth, coffee, and spice. Had with garlic sausage and lentils. Watching Anthony Bourdian. So sad🙁
Smooth, coffee, and spice. Had with garlic sausage and lentils. Watching Anthony Bourdian. So sad🙁
Jun 10th, 2018