Claymore Dark Side of the Moon Shiraz 2021

130km north of Adelaide (and west of the Barossa), the Clare Valley sits within a high-altitude pocket granting the vineyards cool to cold nights with long, warm to hot summer days. This cooler climate grants thin-skinned (and indeed temperamental) grapes like rieslings a perfect climate in which to mature slowly without risk of mould during the harvest season. The resulting wines are perfumed, complex, softly flavoured yet powerful.

There are several sub-regions in the 35km stretch of valley, pocketed with varying soils, altitudes and climates. West-facing, high-altitude slopes benefit from drying afternoon sun in summer, producing some of the regions best vintages. The vines are planted from 400 to 500 metres (1,300 to 1,600 ft). The higher altitude, compared to other wine regions in South Australia, ensures cool nights even during the heat of summer allowing the fruit to ripen more evenly and slowly. Soil is a mix of red to brown-grey over basement rock.

History

Region: Clare Valley
Proprieter: David Mavor
Winemaker: David Mavor
Established: 1997
Address:
PO Box 72
Watervale
South Australia, 5452

The majority of Claymore grapes are sourced from their vineyards in the Watervale and Penwortham sub regions of the Clare Valley with some additional premium fruit also supplied by quality independent grape growers of the Clare Valley. Careful cultivation of fruit is paired with modern winemaking techniques by winemaker David Mavor.

Their award winning wines include the Joshua Tree Riesling, London Calling Merlot, Dark Side of the Moon Shiraz and the Nirvana Reserve Shiraz.