d'Arenberg

The Dead Arm McLaren Vale Shiraz

9.347 ratings
9.26 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
Thibaut Marquis

Region Manager East, CRU Selections Terlato Wines International

9.2

Delicious even though quite big. Lots of ripe fruit, spice, cinnamon-clove, liquorice. Really long finish.

Delicious even though quite big. Lots of ripe fruit, spice, cinnamon-clove, liquorice. Really long finish.

Mar 12th, 2017
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Bright blackberries, blueberries, black plum, pepper on the nose and the palate, soft minerals and nicely balanced acidity. Long juicy blue fruit finish. Tannins are nicely resolved. The 05 is right around it's peak.

Bright blackberries, blueberries, black plum, pepper on the nose and the palate, soft minerals and nicely balanced acidity. Long juicy blue fruit finish. Tannins are nicely resolved. The 05 is right around it's peak.

Aug 23rd, 2015
Spencer Cutter

Very dark. Nose and palate are still loaded with primary black fruit of blackberry, blueberry, boysenberry, all very ripe but not stewed. Lots of vanilla, almost to the point of being sweet. A note of mushroom, forest floor and leather. All balanced with great acidity and gripping tannins. Impressed that a wine this rich still has this complexity and life 10 years later. Medium finish.

Very dark. Nose and palate are still loaded with primary black fruit of blackberry, blueberry, boysenberry, all very ripe but not stewed. Lots of vanilla, almost to the point of being sweet. A note of mushroom, forest floor and leather. All balanced with great acidity and gripping tannins. Impressed that a wine this rich still has this complexity and life 10 years later. Medium finish.

Mar 7th, 2015
Mark Crisler

Wine 2... Dead arm anyone! It's corked (pre screw cap that is)

Wine 2... Dead arm anyone! It's corked (pre screw cap that is)

Mar 22nd, 2014
John Pavlovich

From a magnum. Dark, almost black colour, no bricking. Even the bouquet is young. Full body, dense, still plenty of acidity, rich, powerful. And it even tastes young, but ready. Went well with full table for Orthodox Easter. Many more years of pleasure ahead for this wine.

From a magnum. Dark, almost black colour, no bricking. Even the bouquet is young. Full body, dense, still plenty of acidity, rich, powerful. And it even tastes young, but ready. Went well with full table for Orthodox Easter. Many more years of pleasure ahead for this wine.

Apr 18th, 2023
Wen Huang

Robust for a Shiraz.

Robust for a Shiraz.

Dec 29th, 2020
LM Segal

Sadly my last bottle...though my palate has drifted a bit since I was buying these in size, this was so good, fresh. Just at the beginning of its resolution into a Northern Rhône vibing and unctuous elixir. Light grapey essence on liquorice and brambly compote. Sweet tannins with fading but notable acidity. Very long. Good for 5-10 more years at least.

Sadly my last bottle...though my palate has drifted a bit since I was buying these in size, this was so good, fresh. Just at the beginning of its resolution into a Northern Rhône vibing and unctuous elixir. Light grapey essence on liquorice and brambly compote. Sweet tannins with fading but notable acidity. Very long. Good for 5-10 more years at least.

Feb 25th, 2018
Peter Faulhaber

Fantastic and delicious

Fantastic and delicious

Jun 7th, 2017
David Annis

Deep purple, still big but not unapproachable. Cloves, licorice, chocolate and tar on the nose. Full body. This stands up to any meal you pair it with and overwhelms some of you're not careful.

Deep purple, still big but not unapproachable. Cloves, licorice, chocolate and tar on the nose. Full body. This stands up to any meal you pair it with and overwhelms some of you're not careful.

May 6th, 2017
Patrick Tse

Something special on Friday evening. So intense and complex, yet approachable.

Something special on Friday evening. So intense and complex, yet approachable.

Feb 13th, 2016