The Ingoldby McLaren Vale Shiraz 2008 is your classic example of a big, warm, comfortable red that delivers everything you could ever ask for in a big wine. Dark, dark purple red, almost impenetrable in colour. That’ll wow anyone looking at it. A nose chock full of super ripe black plums with a dash of jam thrown in. And a rich and sweet fruited palate that is lush and juicy with black pepper, spices and mulberries, and a savoury nuance, with lifted oak adding an exotic twist. The tannins are supple and rounded and give just enough grip to deliver some backbone and length. Make no mistake, this fruit-bomb is absolutely delicious and delivers instant gratification.

The Ingoldby family has been in the McLaren Vale for more than 100 years. This wine region, affectionately called ‘the middle palate’ of the Aussie wine industry has always provided rich, plump, and very drinkable reds that few other regions can match. Jim Ingoldby started making traditional style reds back in 1973, and the Ingoldby label continues to do so today. The 2008 is made from dry grown Shiraz, with a small portion of the Italian Barbera variety, was warm fermented to 14.0% alc., then aged 12 months in new and one year old French oak hogsheads.

It’s great to see wine judges still appreciate this style, as well as the likes of elegant Pinot Noirs and ‘new wave’ cool-climate Syrah which are the antithesis of the McLaren Vale expression. The Ingoldby Shiraz 2008 won the trophy for Champion Commercial Red Wine and a gold medal at the 2009 N.Z. International Wine Show. And the clincher here is the price. Reduced from $22.45 at retail to a Special Price of $16.95 a bottle. It’ll go out the door by the case load. Don’t miss out on this bargain.