Why does the Clare Valley produces such plush Shiraz?
“The style of the wines is inconsistent with a climate seemingly so warm – the continental climate and cold nights in the growing season provide the answer,” explains James Halliday.
The Clare Valley lies nestled at the northern end of the Mount Lofty Ranges in the Mid-North region of South Australia. The region has a higher altitude than most wine regions in South Australia with many vineyards situated at 400-600m above sea level.
While summer is technically warm, maritime breezes off the nearby Spencer’s Gulf have a moderating effect, with often drastic temperature drops from day to night.
In the height of summer when the grapes are ripening, the daily maximum temperature is nearly 30°C and the average night-time minimum is only 13°C. This wide variation in daily temperature leads to slower and more even ripening and is the reason why grapevines prosper in the Clare Valley. It is perhaps our greatest asset in adapting to climate change.
In addition to the maritime influence bringing cold nights, the ranges of hills, running from north to south form a series of ridges, foothills and valleys which provide many vineyard sites with differing exposure to the afternoon sun.
Sunlight is an essential ingredient in the growth of both the vine and the grape and so the location of a vineyard relative to the sun is important. In the Clare Valley, the warmest aspects, those typically planted to Shiraz, are those facing north and north-west. They are cool in the morning but are exposed to hot afternoon sun, while vines higher up a slope will receive more sunlight than those lower down.
Hidden away on the western side of the Valley, many of the best Shiraz vineyards form a patchwork across rolling foothills, hidden hillsides and tucked away in quiet valleys. This, together with the cool nights, is why grapevines prosper in the Clare Valley allowing us to make plush medium-bodied reds.
That, then is the reason why the Clare Valley can produce such plush reds in a seemingly hot climate. You can see for yourself by trying either of these great Tim Adams reds:
2021 Tim Adams Clare Valley Shiraz 14.5% 6x75cl £89.00
The wine is sophisticated and elegant with a vibrant deep purple hue and aromas and flavours of black cherry, blackcurrant and black plums, all in good harmony with the spice oak flavours and dark chocolate that comes from a maturation in American oak for 24 months.
The palate is full, with soft ripe tannins and a great concentration of flavours and superb length. It has both power and finesse, which makes it both approachable now and worthy of keeping for up to 10 years.
2019 Tim Adams Aberfeldy Shiraz 14.9% 6x75cl £209.00
The Aberfeldy is an iconic Australian Shiraz.
Tim Adams’ flagship wine, The Aberfeldy, has long been synonymous with quality, representing the best that Clare Valley Shiraz has to offer. It has long been considered by those in the know as the prestige wine to buy when you don't want to pay prestige prices. It's a supremely complete, textural and age-worthy shiraz that you can even enjoy when it's first released
The wine has a vibrant magenta hue. The nose has aromas of ripe cherry, plum, dark berries complemented by rich chocolate, clove, nutmeg, and vanilla from its maturation in new and used American oak.
The palate is full bodied and powerful with concentrated flavours of dark berry, conserve, blackberry, and dark cherry. The texture is sumptuous, with firm yet polished tannins that provide structure and a silky, smooth mouthfeel. The wine has persistent length of sweet fruit and oak, with power, elegance and great finesse.
At release it is elegant enough to enjoy straight away —especially after decanting— but has the structure and complexity to age gracefully for up to 25 years in optimal conditions.
Enjoy these two Shiraz and all Tim’s other wines- Go to Tim Adams Wines NOW.
Best wishes
Craig
