Wines McLaren Vale Brokenwood - Rayner Vineyard - 2022

Viniou Reviews

Brokenwood’s 2022 Cuvée Rayner Vineyard from McLaren Vale is an expressive Australian red that showcases both the region’s potential and the winery’s exacting standards. Crafted predominantly from Shiraz with possible additions of Grenache or Mourvèdre, this wine benefits from a warm, dry growing season that has lent deep concentration and vibrancy to the fruit. The Rayner Vineyard is regarded for its mature vines, which produce berries of notable intensity and character. Vinification typically involves careful picking to preserve freshness, followed by open fermentations and ageing in a mix of French oak barrels. The result is a deeply coloured wine, brimming with aromas of blackberry, plum, liquorice, and hints of pepper and sweet spice, with mouth-coating tannins and a generous, lingering finish.

McLaren Vale, nestled between the Mount Lofty Ranges and the Gulf St Vincent, is one of Australia’s oldest and most esteemed wine regions. The Mediterranean climate, marked by warm days and cool nights, fosters slow and even grape ripening, which is ideal for red varietals such as Shiraz, Grenache, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Soils here range from ancient sandy loams to red-brown earths rich in ironstone, contributing to the vibrant colour and structure in the wines. Established by European settlers in the 19th century, McLaren Vale has built a reputation for innovative, sustainable viticulture and a distinctive, fruit-forward style with pleasing complexity.

As a full-bodied, richly textured wine, the Brokenwood Rayner Vineyard 2022 partners exceptionally well with robust dishes. Consider grilled lamb with rosemary, slow-cooked beef brisket, or even a classic Australian barbecue. For a regional touch, try it with kangaroo fillet or a hearty meat pie. Vegetarian options such as aubergine parmigiana or lentil stew are also beautifully complemented by the wine’s spice and depth.

Serve this wine at a temperature of 16-18°C. Decanting for an hour will allow the bouquet to open and the tannins to soften, revealing greater complexity and harmony. Enjoy now for its youthful fruit or allow it to evolve further in the cellar over the next seven to ten years.