Ray Jordan - 2008 Margaret River Range Shiraz

"Boy oh boy this is going to catch some wreck when it gets released to the market proper. Digging deep into Sandalford’s seemingly endless bag of vineyard tricks, winemaker Paul Boulden has made the most of five blocks of old-vine shiraz sourced from a northern Margaret River vineyard planted in 1970. Although it was fermented in and aged for 12 months in new medium toast Damy Allier French oak barriques, the wine’s sweet violet-flecked plum flavours speak volumes of the calibre of fruit chosen for the debut Prendiville Reserve Shiraz. But unlike its predecessor the Prendiville Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon which is the sum of the 20 best barrels,this shiraz comprises of only the best 10 barrels. Its meager 250-case edition might make it a little light on the ground, but there’s no shirking when it comes to the taste stakes. Combining the generosity of South Australia with the elegance and savouriness of French syrah, this is a dazzling expression of Margaret River shiraz that rides high in the flavour saddle, its long finish aided beautifully by silky, fine tannins. So good, it almost erased the painful memory of hearing that Paul recently ripped out all of Sandalford’s dry-grown riesling vines on account of economics." - Ray Jordan