D’Arenberg, Mr Riggs and Dowie Doole in exclusive McLaren Vale big red wine offer

They are three of McLaren Vale’s most acclaimed wineries, combining forces in an exclusive offer for lovers of stylish, rich red wines.

d’Arenberg, Dowie Doole and Mr Riggs are all rated five-star red wineries by James Halliday.

Wine quiz: What do d’Arenberg, Dowie Doole and Mr Riggs have in common?

They’re all rated five-star red wineries by James Halliday; they’re all based in that wonderful part of the world called McLaren Vale and they all consistently make gold medal-winning red wines.

They also happen to be joining forces this week to offer devotees of The Australian Wine Club a unique dozen deal. We’re offering an exclusive d’Arenberg shiraz (at a special once-only price); a 95-point shiraz grenache and a much-loved McLaren Vale red from a superb vintage.

So let’s jump in and have a closer look.

D’Arenberg The Thunderstep Shiraz McLaren Vale 2018

When d’Arenberg’s personality-packed winemaker, Chester Osborn, says he aims to make the “loudest” wines, he isn’t talking about his shirts (which are very loud). He’s talking about “the most aromatic, fruit-flavoured wines that have great palate texture and are free of obvious oak”.

It’s a creed that’s delivering in spades for the fully certified organic and biodynamic winery, known for an iconic red stripe on its labels. Last year d’Arenberg cleaned up at the prestigious London Wine Competition, being named Winery of the Show, with its flagship shiraz, The Dead Arm, winning Wine of the Show and a host of other awards.

Chester Osborn, chief winemaker at d’Arenberg in McLaren Vale. Picture: Roy Van Der Vegt

The Thunderstep 2018 is a dark, elegant, multi-layered shiraz made in the time-honoured d’Arenberg way: small batches of meticulously picked grapes; gently crushed, including by foot, and basket-pressed.

You’ll find “loud” aromatics of red berry fruits, black pepper and spices, leading to blackberry and blueberry flavours, a ribbon of dark chocolate and licorice and a spicy mineral finish.

Fans of d’Arenberg can expect a similar style to the popular Footbolt shiraz, but there’s more complex flavours to be savoured in The Thunderstep. And trust Chester when he says The Thunderstep will live loudly for decades. 14.5 per cent alc. RRP $40 a bottle. Mixed dozen special $21.99

Dowie Doole DD McLaren Vale Shiraz Grenache 2017

Club president James Halliday rated this wine “exceptional value” – and that was judging it against its usual $30 price! Dowie Doole was founded by two passionate McLaren Vale guys, Drew Dowie and Norm Doole, and boasts vineyards in two of the Vale’s most prized subregions, Blewitt Springs and Tatachilla.

Dowie Doole was established in 1995 by renowned grape growers and champions of sustainable viticulture Drew Dowie and Norm Doole.

This wine fuses these two elements together, with the shiraz (82 per cent of the blend) sourced from the cool sandy slopes of Blewitt Springs and the grenache (18 per cent) grown in the Mediterranean-type climate of Tatachilla. It’s a cracking combination with plum and blackcurrant favours from the shiraz melding with strawberry and fig characters from the grenache. Aged in new and old French oak barrels for three years.

As Halliday said while handing out 95 points: “It’s luscious, yet distinctly elegant.” It’s also good for our vegan and vegetarian friends. 14.5 per cent alc. RRP $30 a bottle Mixed dozen special $21.99

 

Mr Riggs The Gaffer McLaren Vale Shiraz 2018

Ben Riggs has been making wines in a style that he “loves to drink” out of McLaren Vale for 25 years. Over that time, The Gaffer (named after his great-great-great grandfather, who farmed in the 1800s) has become a “go-to” wine for McLaren Vale fans: always filled to the bucket with rich shiraz flavours at a very fair price. The 2018 doesn’t disappoint, with bold plum and blackberry aromas, leading to a rich, soft palate with red and black fruits backed with chocolate nuances.

Ben Riggs.

Ben rates the 2018 vintage as one of the best on record. The Gaffer 2018 scored a gold medal at the AWC International Wine Challenge, Vienna, 2020. Since 2006, The Gaffer has been sold under a pink screw cap, with $155,000 being donated to the Flinders Foundation for cancer research. 14.5 per cent alc. RRP $25 a bottle Mixed dozen special $21.99

SPECIAL McLAREN VALE DOZEN (4 bottles of each wine above) $21.99 a bottle

These wines can only be ordered at this price in this mixed dozen while stocks last.

Order online or telephone [phone] Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm AEST. The Australian Wine Club is a commercial partnership with Laithwaite’s Wine People.