Lion's Tooth of McLaren Vale Shiraz Riesling

Yes, you read it correctly, this is Shiraz with about 6% Riesling. It’s a little different, but of course there are plenty of examples using a dab of white fruit behind the ears of the red. Shiraz Viognier is the best known and Peter Lehmann back in the day used to work Shiraz with a little Muscadelle. Spicy cherry and plum with a slightly leafy character. The palate has a grainy chalky texture with a firm core of tannins and a light touch of oak. Vibrant and brilliant.

(2025) An unusual blend, I guess modeled on Côte-Rôtie, where instead of Viognier the local white variety, Riesling is blended with 95% Shiraz. The Shiraz was whole bunch fermented, with stalks, on top of Riesling skins for 11 days. Maturation followed in older French oak barriques, where the wine completed fermentation and stayed for 18 months. It's always easy to imagine you are smelling or tasting the influence of a small varietal addition in a wine, but this is certainly aromatic, a kirsch-like lift and floral touch to creamy black fruit. Dense on the palate with supple dark fruit running into cocoa, but that little hint of something exotic is there into a long, refined finish with moderate tannins and juicy acidity. Watch the video for more information.