Henry’s Drive Shiraz Grenache Mourvèdre 2020

Avid readers of my site (hey Mum & Dad) might remember me talking about the Picardy Pinot Noir recently and how awesomely good it is. Well, luckily for me I also have two bottles of their Chardy. Hot damn is this magical! After tasting the Pinot I got my boy Dan to send me over some of the Chardy too. Now my already bulging wine cellar is screaming out for six more! 

Looking for something to stand up to that big, bad red? Look here. And throw some garlic mash on the side.

Less than 40km south of Adelaide, McLaren Vale is another one of South Australia's renowned Shiraz producers, accounting for roughly 50% of grapes crushed annually. The climate is markedly different from the Barossa, being much more Mediterranean with four clear seasons and higher rainfalls. McLaren Vale reds reflect this, showing deep complexity and power along with the ability to cellar for decades. While Shiraz grabs the most attention, chocolate-rich Cabernet Sauvignons, Chardonnays and Viogniers are worth sampling.

The climate is influenced by ocean breezes coming in from the Gulf of St. Vincent to the west and the altitude of the Sellicks Hill Range to the south. Soil type is varied, ranging from red-brown loam and sand to dark clay and the often-mentioned terra rosa. A misspell of the Italian phrase "terra rossa" (meaning "red soil"), this ruddy-red stuff is left behind when limestone breaks down, and any viticulturist will tell you it's great stuff to grow vines in due