A recent conversation with a French friend left me intrigued about Australian wines, specifically the McLaren Vale d’Arenberg Dead Arm Shiraz. My friend spoke highly of it, so I decided to check with the manager at my local wine shop.
Unfortunately, the Dead Arm Shiraz had sold out last month. However, the manager informed me that they still had five single vineyard selections from the same winery’s 2013 vintage: Bamboo Scrub, Little Venice, The Piceous Roadstar, The Garden of Extraordinary Delight and Amaranthine.
While I was disappointed about the Dead Arm Shiraz being unavailable, the mention of these other single vineyard wines piqued my curiosity. I asked the manager for a recommendation, and without hesitation, he suggested The Garden of Extraordinary Delights. He described it as having wonderful fruit and mint aromas with a great finish. Intrigued by his description, I purchased two bottles.
To fully appreciate this wine, I decided to delve deeper into the wine, the producer, and the terroir of the McLaren Vale region.
Table of Contents
1. McLaren Vale Viticulture
McLaren Vale is a region renowned for its rich geological history, featuring over 40 unique geological structures that date back from 550 million to 15,000 years ago. This extensive timeline has resulted in remarkable geological diversity and complexity. Two major influences on the region are the Great Southern Ocean and the Willunga Fault. Once submerged under the ocean, McLaren Vale’s soil contains marine fossils embedded in clay and limestone, contributing to its mineral richness. The Willunga Fault separates inland hills from coastal hills, resulting in significantly varied soils.
The soils of McLaren Vale are incredibly diverse. Notable types include:
Terra Rossa: A mix of clay and limestone, offering ideal conditions for vine growth.
Sandy Loam: Found along the coastline, particularly favorable for growing Grenache and Shiraz.
Clay: Present in some areas, known for its excellent water retention properties.
Biscay Soil: A blend of marine sediment-rich clay, silt, and sand, well-suited for McLaren Vale Shiraz.
The climate in McLaren Vale is Mediterranean, characterized by warm, dry summers and cooling breezes from the Gulf St Vincent, which prevent the grapes from overheating during the growing season. This helps maintain good acidity in the wines. Most of the region’s rainfall occurs in winter, with an average of 226mm during the growing season. Notably, McLaren Vale is free from phylloxera due to strict quarantine measures.
McLaren Vale is celebrated for its bold and rich Shiraz. The region’s Grenache, often from very old vines, is praised for its vibrant fruit flavors and elegance. Other varieties produced in the area include Cabernet Sauvignon, red blends, Chardonnay, Mourvèdre, Viognier, Tempranillo, Sangiovese, Barbera, Fiano, Sparkling Shiraz, and fortified wines.
The region is also seeing a rise in sustainable farming practices, organic farming, and certifications. There’s an increasing trend towards experimenting with alternative varieties, producing single vineyard wines, minimal intervention wines, and the release of aged or reserve wines.
McLaren Vale’s commitment to quality and innovation continues to make it a significant player on the global wine stage.
2. Producer: d’Arenberg
Since the 1960s, a winery in South Australia has been hailed as a ‘cult wine’ by enthusiasts and critics alike. It achieved significant recognition when it won the prestigious Jimmy Watson Trophy at the 1969 Royal Melbourne Wine Show and has continued to amass numerous awards in domestic and international wine competitions. This winery is d’Arenberg, now one of the most important wineries in McLaren Vale.
d’Arenberg was established in 1912 by Joseph Osborn, a director at Thomas Hardy & Sons. He purchased 25 hectares of the Milton Vineyard in the hills of what are now the Gloucester and Bellevue villages in the McLaren Vale region. Over four generations and more than a century, d’Arenberg has become a cornerstone of McLaren Vale’s winemaking heritage.
The fourth generation of the Osborn family, Chester Osborn, has been the chief winemaker since 1984. Chester grew up helping his father in the winery, naturally learning about viticulture and winemaking. His father instilled in him the belief that passion is essential for creating exceptional wines.
d’Arenberg wines are distinguished by their commitment to traditional methods and avoidance of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. One notable characteristic is their use of the basket-press method for all their wines, avoiding the mechanical pressing that separates grape solids from juice. This method requires significantly more effort and cost but results in a richer fruit aroma in the wine.
In 2004, Robert Parker Jr. praised d’Arenberg in The Wine Advocate, stating, “The wines made by the versatile Chester Osborn range from top-tier premium wines to excellent value-for-money options, and whether sparkling, white, red, or fortified, they are all outstanding.”
d’Arenberg’s dedication to quality and tradition continues to make it a beloved winery in South Australia and beyond.
3. The Garden of Extraordinary Delights
As its name suggests, the Garden of Extraordinary Delights is a vineyard nestled in a cool hollow, surrounded by beautiful native bushland, making it a true delight. The vines here are often covered with fine moss, giving the garden a particularly attractive and enchanting appearance.
This vineyard offers a refreshing change of pace from the rest of the Amazing Sites range. The Garden of Extraordinary Delights consistently provides something unique, living up to its charming name. This Shiraz is an elegant rendition of what McLaren Vale has to offer—light on its feet yet bursting with fruit. You’ll notice a cool minty, eucalypt lift that complements the red fruits perfectly. The wine is elegant but anchored by fine tannins and tantalizing acidity, making it an excellent choice even as the weather warms but you still crave a Shiraz.
The vineyard sits on younger geology that is 2.6 million years old, consisting of sand on sandstone and clay. The sandy soil and cool climate contribute to producing wines with beautiful fragrance, great concentration, and complex soil characters.
The Garden of Extraordinary Delights stands out not only for its charming aesthetics but also for the exceptional quality of its wines. It’s a testament to the unique terroir of McLaren Vale and the meticulous care that goes into crafting each bottle. Whether you’re a seasoned Shiraz lover or new to McLaren Vale’s offerings, this vineyard’s wine is sure to delight your senses.
4. Tasting Experience
After researching this wine, I decided to pair it with Italian dishes. I recently discovered a new Italian restaurant near my home named “Osteria Eden.” The website showcased a lovely interior with a spacious layout and an open terrace with a garden. I thought the atmosphere would match well with the name, the Garden of Extraordinary Delights. So, why not give it a try?🤣
I unscrewed the bottle and let the wine breathe for two hours before heading to the restaurant. Upon arrival, the ambiance was delightful, just as I had seen on the website.
The meal began with a Caesar salad, which paired wonderfully with the wine. The grated Grana Padano cheese and bacon flakes complemented the wine’s flavors perfectly. 👍🏻🍷
However, the rest of the dishes, including the Carbonara Pipette Rigate, Sea Bass Fusillone, and Black Tiger Prawn Spaghettini, looked fantastic but were disappointing. Each dish was bland, with sauces and pasta failing to harmonize—a basic mistake that made me question the chef’s skills. 😢
Despite the restaurant’s nearly perfect online ratings, my experience suggested otherwise. It felt like a case of manipulated or fraudulent reviews.😡 Nevertheless, I decided to focus on the wine, which was excellent. Even though the quality of the pasta was lacking, the pairing with the wine was still quite enjoyable.
Wine Pairing Notes
Carbonara Pipette Rigate: The creamy, rich flavors of Carbonara complement the elegant red fruits and minty lift of the Garden of Extraordinary Delights Shiraz. The wine’s acidity and fine tannins balance the dish’s richness, enhancing the overall experience.
Sea Bass Fusillone in Tomato Rosé Sauce: The spicy tomato rosé sauce adds a delightful kick to the delicate sea bass, which pairs wonderfully with the wine’s red fruit and eucalypt notes. The Shiraz’s acidity and tannins provide a nice counterbalance to the richness and spice of the sauce.
Black Tiger Prawn Spaghettini in Bisque Sauce: The sweet, succulent prawns paired with a rich, creamy bisque sauce make a delightful match for the wine’s red fruit flavors and minty undertones. The Shiraz’s firm tannins and refreshing acidity complement the dish’s flavors, making it a satisfying combination.
Despite the mixed experience with the pasta, the Garden of Extraordinary Delights Shiraz proved to be a versatile wine that pairs beautifully with a variety of Italian dishes.
5. Conclusion
The Garden of Extraordinary Delights Shiraz, recommended by the wine shop manager, turned out to be an unexpected gem. It was absolutely fantastic and has sparked my interest in trying the other four single vineyard Shiraz wines from d’Arenberg: Bamboo Scrub, Little Venice, Fisher’s Roadstar, and Amaranthine. Of course, the Dead Arm Shiraz remains a must-try on my list.
For anyone who loves Australian Shiraz, this wine is a must-try. And if you’re interested in exploring other grape varieties from Australia, be sure to check out my post, Australian Wines Over 8 Grape Varieties, Never Just Shiraz. This wine journey is far from over, and there’s so much more to discover in the world of Australian wines.