Pertaringa 'Belonging to the Hills' Shiraz 2022

McLaren Vale's Mediterranean climate and diverse soils create ideal conditions for Shiraz, producing wines with exceptional concentration and complexity. This region is renowned for its ability to balance power with elegance, and Bec Hardy's 2022 vintage showcases the area's signature style with its dense dark chocolate and coffee aromatics. The warm days and cool nights in McLaren Vale allow for extended ripening, resulting in the preserved plum and dark berry flavours that define this wine.

Serve this wine at 16-18°C to allow its complex flavours to fully express themselves. Decanting for 30-60 minutes before serving will help soften the tannins and open up the rich chocolate and coffee notes. The full-bodied nature means it pairs beautifully with robust dishes like grilled lamb, aged cheeses, or dark chocolate desserts that complement its vanillin softness and berry intensity.

A 95-point rating from Wine Showcase indicates this is an exceptional wine that represents outstanding quality and character. This score places it in the top tier of Australian Shiraz, reflecting the wine's perfect balance of power and finesse. The rating validates the combination of Bec Hardy's winemaking expertise and the excellent 2022 vintage conditions in McLaren Vale, making this a wine that will cellar beautifully for years to come.

Bec Hardy represents the fifth generation of the legendary Hardy wine family, one of Australia's most respected winemaking dynasties. Her involvement brings decades of family winemaking knowledge combined with modern techniques and innovation. The Hardy name has been synonymous with quality Australian wine for over 160 years, and Bec continues this tradition while adding her own contemporary touch to classic varietals like Shiraz.

This full-bodied McLaren Vale Shiraz has excellent cellaring potential due to its concentrated fruit flavours and structured tannins. While delicious now, it will continue to develop complexity over the next 8-12 years, with the chocolate and coffee notes integrating further with the dark berry fruit. The wine should reach its peak drinking window around 2027-2030, when the vanillin oak will have fully married with the fruit, creating an even more harmonious and sophisticated expression.