War Horse Shiraz 2019

The miniscule grape yield provided by the old contoured low trellis vines, presented us with the quintessential McLaren Vale Shiraz. This limited release wine displays a bouquet of red cherry, spicy plum and peppermint. Infused with hints of cinnamon, cardamon and vanillin oak. The intense palate delivers loganberry, red currant, blueberry, star of anise and dark chocolate, enhanced by subtle toasted cedary oak and hints of rhubarb. This handcrafted wine is superbly balanced by seam of structural tannins, well integrated oak and great flavour profile.

97 Points Wine Orbit, 96 Points Wine Pilot, GOLD Medal AWC Vienna International Wine Challenge 2021, 95 Points The Real Review

Now in the capable hands of Geoff Johnston, a winemaking graduate of Charles Sturt University and grandson of the winery’s founder, Pirramimma has seen many significant changes, including the construction of a 3100m² naturally cooled rammed earth barrel storage facility and the expansion of vineyards to 240 acres and 13 varieties. Known as a “Professor of Soil”, he has also spent over 25 years converting Pirramimma’s sterile land into a living organism, as well as reducing the winery’s ecological footprint through various projects including solar systems, dams and even a wine turbine. As a winemaker, Geoff has a worldly perspective. After a study trip to France his interest for the Bordeaux grape variety, Petit Verdot was developed. Geoff planted a small trial area of the grape in 1983, which has since expanded to 35 acres of mature vines. Pirramimma Petit Verdot vintages have been awarded internationally multiple times with European wine magazine WeinWisser asking… ‘is there any better Petit Verdot in the world?’ Geoff not only pioneered Petit Verdot in Australia, he was the first to introduce the Southern French variety Tannat to McLaren Vale. In 2021, Geoff celebrated his 50th vintage – a fitting half century for the accomplished cricketer and dogged batsman.