Black Blood II Single Vineyard Shiraz

Hugh Hamilton Wines Black Blood II Single Vineyard Shiraz draws from the winery's Church Vineyard in McLaren Vale, which surrounds the old Bethany Chapel on three sides.

The vines grow in alluvial soils on what was once the bed of an ancient river, whose remnants now trickle quietly along the base of the block.

This wine is second in the Black Blood trio, a series designed to showcase the winery's three McLaren Vale vineyards. The winemaking is kept as consistent as possible so the wine speaks purely of place.

The grapes – destemmed but not crushed – are whole berry open fermented with a selected yeast strain. After pressing, the wine matures for 18 months in seasoned French oak barrels.

Dark red, Hugh Hamilton Wines Black Blood II Single Vineyard Shiraz's hallmark is its generosity of fruit. Medium bodied, it is finely textured and plush. Cellaring potential is eight years.