Rich in character and layered in complexity, the 2014 The Swinging Malaysian is a striking Shiraz from d’Arenberg’s esteemed Amazing Sites collection. Sourced from a storied vineyard with a quirky past, this vintage opens with a burst of vibrant blueberry and dark plum aromas, evolving into a deeply savory experience on the palate. Notes of woody spices—clove, nutmeg, and cinnamon—meld with dark chocolate, dried porcini, and sour cherry. Silky tannins and superb texture underpin its elegant structure, while a long, umami-rich finish leaves a lasting impression. A poised and nuanced Shiraz, this wine is a testament to the power and finesse of McLaren Vale.

James Suckling | JS 94
Published: Jun 18, 2020

Planted in 1969 on a plot with sand on sandstone geology, this is very floral, bright and perfumed with eastern spices, as well as fresh red fruit that really shines. The palate has intense, fine tannin with chocolate-like texture and a long, fresh and deeply delivered finish. Smooth and long. Drink or hold. Screw cap.

Darenberg.com.au

Amazing intensity, focus and length; Dark chocolate comes through strongly, and the texture is superb.

TASTING NOTE
Open your spice draw and pull out all of your woody spices; cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, cloves... That's what you can expect with your first smell of The Swinging Malaysian Shiraz. The savoury theme continues on the palate and more so as the wine evolves. Umami flavours are the dominant feature. Eventually the dried porcini notes surrender to a spiced plum or perhaps sour cherry note. A lovely refined palate with an elegant tannin profile that is fine and supple. Certainly a wine more about subtlety and nuance than brooding, boisterous power.

WINEMAKING 
Small batches of grapes are gently crushed and then transferred to five tonne headed down open fermenters. These batches remain separate until final blending. Foot treading is undertaken two thirds of the way through fermentation. The wine is then basket pressed and transferred to a mixture of new and used French oak barriques to complete fermentation. The barrel ferments are aged on lees, and there is no racking until final blending. Only the best Shiraz blocks from each vintage are selected to be part of the Amazing Sites range.

BEHIND THE NAME
Purchased in an era of free love, this vineyard has also done its fair share of swinging! First planted to shiraz in the 70s, it was grafted to Riesling, but was returned to its origins in 2001. Imported vineyard posts from Malaysia were trialled here but were too weak and had to be replaced.