Wines McLaren Vale Richard Hamilton - Centurion Shiraz - 2019

Viniou Reviews

Richard Hamilton’s 2019 Centurion Shiraz hails from McLaren Vale, one of South Australia’s premier red wine regions. This Shiraz, full-bodied and expressive, captures the quintessential style the area is known for. The 2019 vintage enjoyed excellent growing conditions, with a warm, dry summer that allowed for optimal fruit ripening and concentration. Crafted primarily from old-vine Shiraz—some of the vines in the region date back well over a century—this wine typically undergoes fermentation in stainless steel before maturation in a mix of French and American oak. This imparts layers of spicy, toasty complexity to the ripe blackberry, plum, and dark cherry aromas, along with subtle notes of pepper, chocolate, and eucalyptus that are so emblematic of McLaren Vale Shiraz.

McLaren Vale is situated just south of Adelaide and benefits from its proximity to the Gulf St Vincent. This proximity moderates the climate, providing warm days and cooling sea breezes at night, which help the Shiraz grapes retain freshness and balance. The soils in McLaren Vale are remarkably diverse but often include ancient sandy loams and clay, excellent for nurturing deep-rooted, low-yielding vines. The region carries a rich winemaking heritage dating back to the 1830s and is celebrated for bold, generous, yet refined red wines.

When it comes to food pairing, a wine of this power and aromatic density pairs beautifully with hearty meat dishes. Consider classic Australian barbecue, slow-roasted lamb shanks with rosemary, or a rich beef pie. The wine’s fruit and spice also match well with aged hard cheeses or even spiced Middle Eastern lamb dishes. For a regional touch, try it with kangaroo steaks or saltbush lamb.

Serve this Shiraz at a temperature of 16-18°C to best appreciate its full spectrum of fruit, spice, and oak-derived nuance. Decanting for about an hour before serving will allow the wine to open up, softening the tannins and enhancing the aromatic complexity for an optimal tasting experience.