Shiraz Reserve 2017

PIRRAMIMMA

Shiraz Reserve
2017

Country
Australia
Regulated designation
Table wine
Region
South Australia
Subregion
Fleurieu, McLaren Vale
Varietal(s)
Shiraz 100 %
Colour
Red
Sugar
Dry
Producer's website

About this winery

Pirramimma was founded by Alexander Campbell Johnston in 1892 and has been owned and operated by the Johnston family ever since. The Johnston family arrived in South Australia in 1839 and in 1892 Alexander, the tenth of thirteen children, purchased 97 hectares of rich farmland southeast of the then fledgling village of McLaren Vale. He named his land Pirramimma, an Aboriginal phrase meaning "the moon and the stars." The vineyard soils vary from sandy, on the rise, to rich dark loam on the flat....

See the PIRRAMIMMA detail page for more information on this brand

Product notes

This exceptional vintage was due to a cool summer and dry moderate autumn providing the ideal conditions for producing excellent Shiraz with great regional character. Parcels from the “Ironstone”, “Katunga”, “Oakley” “Bullrush”, “Bellevue” and “Johnston Prolific” blocks were selected for this vintage.

Production notes

Aged 2 years in French and American oak. To maintain distinctive varietal character only 18% of the wine was matured in new French and American oak barriques.

Tasting notes

Aromas of spicy Satsuma plum, black cherry and bramble with hints of vanilla bean, infused with black pepper and mocha notes. The intense palate delivers dark chocolate, spicy mulberry, liquorice and blackberry notes, enhanced by cracked peppercorn, with hints of coconut and cedar. The rich powerful Shiraz has great backbone, firm balanced tannins, deft oak handling, subtle toast and great length of flavour.

Press reviews

James Halliday (Australian Wine Companion)

- 94 points -

July 2014

"The back label says '11 was an excellent vintage producing fruit of the highest quality, with great vintage conditions. What does one then say about '10 and '12? However that may be, this is both elegant and complex, with spice and pepper nuances to the plum and black cherry bouquet, the palate picking up all of those characters, adding a hint of raspberry, and then finishing with fine, lingering tannins."

See detailed press review
James Halliday (Australian Wine Companion)

- 94 points -

August 2017

Only 30% matured in new French and American barriques, the balance in tank. This approach has worked well, with a combination of freshness and complexity of fruit and oak, fine but persistent tannins lengthening the finish. During the journey, black cherry, blackberry and (guess what) dark chocolate have all added to the package.

 

See detailed press review
Natalie MacLean

- 93 points -

November 2015 (Vintage 2013)

A vibrant, peppery Australian red wine with a black plum mantle and warming shawl of mouth-filling flavour. The superb 2013 vintage was ideal for ripening Shiraz. The grapes were selected from vineyards such as War Horse, Johnson Prolific, Bellevue and Bullrush. Finishes with vanilla bean and black pepper. Try with a rack of lamb.

Shiraz food pairings: grilled back ribs with a rich sauce, marinated steaks, dark chocolate, lamb, salmon..

See detailed press review
Natalie MacLean

- 93 points -

August 2022 (Vintage 2019)

Pirramimma White Label 2019 Shiraz is a savoury and concentrated McLaren Vale Shiraz, ripe with juicy black plum, dark cherry, violets, mocha, vanilla with cedar brush and cracked black pepper spice plushy on the palate. Grapes were sourced from 30-plus-year-old vines from estate vineyards Ironstone, Katunga, Oakley, Bullrush, Bellevue and Johnston Prolific. Aged in both American and French oak barrels (15% new). 

See detailed press review
James Halliday (Australian Wine Companion)

- 92 points -

James Halliday, August 2016 (Vintage 2013)

It fills your mouth with blackberry and coffee-cream flavour, the impression as seamless as it is powerful. Alcohol has been taken in its stride; tannin is like mozzarella, supple, stretchy and melted into the fruit.

See detailed press review
James Halliday (Australian Wine Companion)

- 90 points -

August 2018 (Vintage 2015)

Plum, violet and truffle characters present eagerly at the front door, oak a player but a responsible one. It's creamy in the mouth and generally lively...

See detailed press review
Wine Align

- 90 points -

September 2014

Here’s a delicious, ripe complex and shiraz with all kinds of complexity - brown kalamata olive, prune, sweet oak, meatiness and dried herbs. Its medium-full, very smooth, with fine acidity and tannin. Quite mature already from the coolest Aussie vintage on record. Excellent length. - David Lawrason

See detailed press review
Wine Align

- 90 points -

September 2014

Possessing great flavour and length, the 2011 Shiraz comes highly recommended. Opaque ruby in colour with a touch of red currant, the wine reveals beautiful aromas of mocha, eucalyptus, baked red fruits, smoked game, vanilla and spice. Complex, boasting satisfyingly supple fruit and tannins, mild acidity and a lingering hint of mocha and plums on the finish. Very forward and nicely textured, this will keep for six years or more. Screwcap closure. Now-2020+. - Justin Hitner

See detailed press review
James Halliday (Australian Wine Companion)

- 90 points -

September 2019

Blackberry, plum, milk chocolate and a light touch of earth are in place, and the flavours are generous and well-rounded...

See detailed press review
Wine Align

- 90 points -

Sara d'Amato, June 2017 (Vintage 2014)

Love the dried mint and the fresh cassis to this big but not overly bold McLaren Vale Shiraz. Black pepper and violets characterize the style that dials back the heat a touch to reveal the inner workings and beauty of shiraz. Very good length.

See detailed press review