McLaren Vale lies on the coast right by Adelaide. There are three distinct soil types: the sandy loams of Blewitt Springs; the darker soils of McLaren Flat; and the terra rossa over limestone soils further back near Chapel Hill. Famous for its Shiraz, this region also makes good Cabernet Sauvignons and Chardonnays.
Tasting notes: Shiraz fanatic and flamboyant winemaker, Geoff Merrill has made as stunning McLaren Vale red wine. Dark and youthful in colour, the nose shows subtle toasty oak, moving to fruit aromas of spice and fresh berries. Rich and well structured on the palate with a savoury integrated oak to add complexity, this fantastic full bodied red delivers all the oomph of blockbuster aussie reds but still with a refined finish and long lingering flavour.
Tasting notes: Concentrated ripe blackberry and plum fruit, a hint of bitter dark chocolate with a subtle touch of French oak and a very long finish. A really superb wine.
Tasting notes: Blended of Grenache, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Graciano, 2008 Eclipse has a medium-deep garnet-purple color and intense aromas of black cherry, black raspberry, menthol, cumin and fennel seed with some white pepper and a whiff of dusty earth. Full bodied and rich, the fruit is very opulent if a little straight-forward with crisp refreshing acid, medium-firm velvety tannins and a long finish. Drinking well now, it should develop a few more layers with 2-3 years in bottle and drink to 2023+. 94/100 RP pts
-In short, due to weather conditions, the only premium red produced in 2008 was Noon Eclipse (no Reserve Shiraz or Cab produced),- reported Drew Noon. -The 2008 marks a change to the traditional blend of Grenache and Shiraz, to include a little Cabernet and Graciano fruit. We always intended for the Graciano fruit to be included in Noon Eclipse but only after 10 years in the ground do we feel the time is right to begin introducing it to the blend.
Tasting notes: This lively wine displays intense aromatics of cherry, raspberry, spice and hints of dried herbs. The palate demonstrates all the characters expected from a medium bodied Grenache: sandy, gritty tannin structure; lovely dryness on the finish; coupled with balanced sweet plum and strawberry fruit, a fantastic food wine!
