REGION:
McLaren Vale, South Australia
VITICULTURE & WINEMAKING:
Grapes were handpicked from some of Mclaren Vales great vineyards all situated in the prestigious “dress circle” of the vale. These special sites take advantage of the unique properties of this idyllic sea side region. A combination of sandy and loam soils adding complexity to the characters the grapes bring to the blend.
2008 seemed to be a perfect vintage, until unseasonably hot weather came to the region in the last few weeks of ripening. Fortunately small crops and decent canopies meant our vineyards were still able to provide us with delicious lively fruit which ended up as stunning wine.
The grapes were sorted prior to crushing into ½ tonne fruit bins ensuring only the perfect berries were selected. The must was chilled and kept at 50C for 5 days before a gentle warming and fermentation using a yeast strain selected for its combination of complexity and reliability. Half way through ferment any unbroken grapes were crushed using the age old method of piégeage. Once the alcoholic fermentation had finished the wine remained on skins under inert gas protection until the wine had extracted complex tannins from the skins and seeds. A small wooden basket press, gently extracted the full power of the wine. Aged in 100% new French oak barrels secondary fermentation was completed prior to a program of racking to clarify the wine. After 2 years in barrel a rigorous selection and blending then took place excluding all but the best examples.
WINEMAKERS’ NOTES:
Deep, brooding intense purple in colour, the aromas of this wine are typical of the variety and the region. Bitter chocolate and thyme combine with French oak and liquorice to produce a complex and intriguing wine.
The palate is tight and sinuous with unbelievable length and outstanding finish. This wine will cellar well for up to 25 years.
TECHNICAL:
Varieties: Shiraz
Alcohol: 14.8% alc/vol
Total Acidity: 6.0 gms/l
Residual Sugar: <2 gms/l
Weekend West Magazine - Ray Jordan - 27.08.11 - 96/100
“This impressive shiraz marks the entry of Angove into the ultra-premium end of the market - and what an entry! Powerful, with typical McLaren Vale fruit sweetness and concentration cramming the middle palate. It’s velvety smooth, with a complex merging of roasted coffee, licorice, dark plums and spices. A masterful creation from Tony Ingle.”
SA Life - July 2011
“Given licence to create a suitable icon for the 125th Anniversary, winemaker Tony Ingle looked to McLaren Vale for fruit, but chose a wine style detached from the bit, fruity bombs that can emanate from this district. Instead he has kept the acid bright and the mid-palate taut, to show off pleasing savoury notes among its juicy fruits and licorice bite. A broad front palate shows sweet, plump primary fruit, though the flavours are swiftly pulled into check, finishing dark and brooding with rich herbal notes, dusty earth and biting tannins. Outstanding values.”
Luxury Style - July 2011
“The Medhyk is a deep, brooding intense purple in colour, and the aromas of this wine are typical of the variety and the region. Offering bitter chocolate and thyme combined with French oak and liquorice to produce a complex and intriguing wine. The palate is tight and sinuous with unbelievable length and outstanding finish.”
Mount Barker Courier - Ross Noble - 29.06.11
“Medhyk is Cornish for doctor and the name is a nod to the founder’s
belief, even in the 19th century, in the thrapeutic value of red wine. Crimson with purple tints, and aromas of ripe plum and white pepper, it presents flavours of dark chocolate and spice, with lingering smooth tannins in a luscious mouthfeel.”
Latte Life Sydney - Andrew Graham - June 2011
“The secret to this wine’s quality is also about attention to detail. Hand-picked (before the 2008 vintage heatwave), hand-sorted, basket-pressed and matured in the finest French oak, this well-crafted drop is made by learned hands with a deft touch. All of which shows in the wine itself. The 2008 Medhyk Shiraz is rich, deeply-flavoured and licoricey, it’s perhaps a fraction oaky but there is no hiding the deep-set quality. This is a serious savoury shiraz built for the cellar - and special birthdays.”
Courier Mail - Mike Frost - 10.06.11 - 94 Points
“It’s from 40 to 60-year-old shiraz vines from McLaren Vale and shows typical blackberry, plum and chocolate characters with a dash of white pepper, finely integrated oak and long, smooth tannins. It’s delicious now but will easily take another seven years or more in bottle.”
Newcastle Herald - John Lewis - 25.05.11 - 5 Stars
“The 2008 Medhyk is an appropriate 125th anniversary symbol - the first of what will be a continuing series of super-premium reds. It weighs in at 14.5 per cent alcohol and is dense inky purple in the glass. The nose displays powerful scents of cassis and toffee and lush, ripe plum flavour rolls onto the front of the palate. Dark chocolate, malt and fruitcake characters harmonise with nutty oak on the middle palae and smooth dusty tannin comes through at the finish.”