Velvet Glove McLaren Vale Shiraz

This is a wine that I normally find is best enjoyed in its youth as it’s an absolute sensory experience from all angles.

I popped this thinking it would be roaring out of the gate, but it was actually quite subdued. After 30mins in the decanter, the room almost filled with the aromatics…wave after wave of rich, decadent dark fruits dipped in fondue, with vanilla baking spice, and espresso. While it was fairly bombastic on the palate, it wore the high ABV fairly well…there was a “creaminess” about this wine which was unique. Dark cocoa covered blueberries and blackberries, black currant, and plenty of dark roasted plum. Big structure and tannin, but the finish is “velvet” like.

I’d say this will hang in this window for a few more years before shedding some of the primary fruit, but this seems to be made to enjoy while the fireworks are still bright.

Firstly we wanted to thank @Martin G Rivard for sharing this bottle with us. Stunning wine and such a treat. Really enjoyed these two beauties from Mollydooker Wines!


Tasted blind, theme was either Napa Cult Wines or High End Australian, not told directly to keep us on our toes.

Darkest of the lot so far, with a deep purplish red. Rich nose of caramel, black fruits, sweet spices and a touch of heat too. Heavy tannins (7.5/10) and full bodied. Rich, extracted and powerful on the palate. Layers of perfumed purple flowers, a bit creamy, tons of sweet spices, and dark fruits. Well balanced acidity. Insanely long finish. Drink till 2033.

The third wine, and without a doubt an insanely young Australian Shiraz. Needed the extra day for the heat to dissipate. This was decanted for three hours on day one, could have used more time.

14' Velvet Glove Shiraz. Thank you buddy for bringing this tremendous bottle of wine. Needs a healthy decanting . The complexity of this wine is amazing. @Martin G Rivard

Lookin the goods now. Fruit has enveloped the oak beautifully and is now sitting subtlety in the background bringing youthful ripe raspberry, blackberry, toffee apple, brandy cream with some tonka bean all to the fore. Youthful but hitting its straps

Huge. Hedonism. Fruit bomb but opened it 4 hours ago and it helped soften the blow a bit. Spice and sweet licorice.

One of the best wines I have ever had! An amazing wine with an amazing wife! Wonderful floral notes, violet, rose, and lilly. Lush fruit on the palette, red current, raspberry with slight presence oak. Amazing this is 16.5% ABV. #alohathirty #lovemywife #30 #mollydooker #lovingit #mywineaffair @em.anderson87

Bramble- wonderful best Shiraz I've had. Purple in every sense of the way watch for the white carpets. Enjoy with a cracked pepper steak and asparagus. Vanilla ice cream after

Birthday wine, velvety indeed, soft for high alcohol. Almost prefer his blue eyed boy from a fruit aspect... But this is complex, probably needed ten more years before trying

Only thing to say is Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays 🎄🍷🎄🍷🎄🍷🎄🍷🎄🍷thank you @Martin G Rivard fabulous:)

There is no denying this wine is great. It is fruit driven, loads of depth and length and is incredibly drinkable.cant feel the heat of the alcohol which again is impressive. A touch overpriced.