Taste & Aging
Light
Bold
Smooth
Tannic
Dry
Sweet
Soft
Acidity
Complexity
Complex & deepDrinking Window
Aging phase
Until 2023
Ready to drink
2023 - 2037
Past peak
After 2037
Aromas
Food Pairing
Vintage Report
2017 was a cooler and longer growing season in McLaren Vale, resulting in wines with excellent acidity and elegance. Although yields were lower, the vintage produced concentrated Shiraz wines with remarkable freshness and ageing potential.
The Dead Arm Shiraz is one of the finest Shiraz wines in the world, made from single-armed, old vines. Dead Arm is a vine disease caused by the fungus Eutypa lata that randomly attacks vineyards worldwide. Affected vines are often severely pruned or replanted. One half, or "arm," of the vine is slowly reduced to dead wood. That side may be lifeless and brittle, but the grapes on the other side display astonishing intensity, despite their low yield. This Shiraz is one of the most exceptional wines from the d'Arenberg estate.
Remarkable wines with a special look
The d'Arenberg winery has a remarkably long history. It began in 1912 with the acquisition of 78 hectares. Its first use wasn't until 1959. A wide variety of grape varieties are grown in various vineyards, including Shiraz, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and Tempranillo for red wines, and Riesling, Chambourcin, Viognier, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Marsanne, and Roussanne for white wines. It has been owned by the Osborne family for decades and is recognizable by the distinctive diagonal red stripe on its labels. The wines often also have remarkable names.The vinification of d'Arenberg The Dead Arm Shiraz
The grapes are harvested with the utmost care, and only the very best are selected. Small batches of grapes are gently crushed and then transferred to open fermenters. These batches remain separate until final blending. The wine is put into the barrel two-thirds of the way through fermentation. The wine is then basket-pressed and transferred to a mix of new and used French oak barriques to complete fermentation. The barrel ferments are finally aged on the lees. This remarkable wine has two sides. It jumps between red fruit and spicy notes on one side and more brooding, dark earthy aromas on the other. This is undoubtedly a sign of the vintage. The seasonal characteristics are even more evident on the palate, where flavor, tannin, and acidity are perfectly balanced. There's impressive concentration in this wine, yet it also feels somewhat restrained.Product details
| Alcohol content | 14.5% |
|---|---|
| Vintage | 2017 |
| Size | 0.75L |
| Region | South East Australia |
| Sub-region | McLaren Vale |
| Producer | d'Arenberg |
| Varietal(s) | Shiraz |
| Oak aging | Yes, Matured in a blend of new and used French oak barriques. |
| Ideal serving temperature ? | 16° - 18°C |