Wirra Wirra Church Block CSM 2013
-
James
Suckling -
Wine
Enthusiast -
Wine
Spectator -
Wilfred
Wong
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Blend: 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Shiraz, 13% Merlot
Professional Ratings
-
James Suckling
The staple of the Wirra Wirra stable, this has a definitive cabernet stamp to it with liquorice and dark chocolate. Plum fruits, cassis and black cherry flavors linger on elegant tannins. Nicely cut wine and cleverly blended. Drink now.
-
Wine Enthusiast
At 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, this is a firm, cassis-scented wine, but one that includes hints of ripeness and generous fruit. Dried herbs and brown sugar add nuance, while the velvety finish picks up some meaty, savory notes. Drink now–2025.
-
Wine Spectator
Firm and appealing, with generous cherry and pear flavors, finishing with a hint of grapefruit as the finish lingers. Has freshness and depth. Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Merlot. Best from 2016 through 2020.
-
Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
The 2013 Wirra Wirra Church Block is a delicious red blend that shows power, yet stays balanced and restrained. This is a very versatile red wine blend. Medium to deep ruby color; pleasing and persistent red currant aromas, loaded with fruit as well as aromatics; medium bodied, well-built on the palate, some sweet tannins give added firmness; dry, medium acidity, good balance; black fruit and fine leather in the flavors, excellent persistence; medium finish, firm in the aftertaste. (Tasted: April 6, 2016, San Francisco, CA)
Other Vintages
2017-
James
Suckling
-
James
Suckling
-
James
Suckling
Wirra Wirra Vineyards was originally established in 1894 by known South Australian eccentric and cricketer Robert Strangways Wigley. The winery prospered in its early days, producing many wines including a much acclaimed Shiraz, which was exported to England and the Empire until his death in 1926. The winery ran into disrepair and was eventually abandoned. In 1969 under the watchful eye of the late Greg Trott and his cousin Roger, the winery was rebuilt from the remnants of two walls and some slate fermenting tanks. As with all subsequent Trott endeavours, it was the sheer magnitude and unlikeliness of the project that made it so attractive.
With hundreds of red grape varieties to choose from, winemakers have the freedom to create a virtually endless assortment of blended red wines. In many European regions, strict laws are in place determining the set of varieties that may be used, but in the New World, experimentation is permitted and encouraged resulting in a wide variety of red wine styles. Blending can be utilized to enhance balance or create complexity, lending different layers of flavors and aromas. For example, a red wine blend variety that creates a fruity and full-bodied wine would do well combined with one that is naturally high in acidity and tannins. Sometimes small amounts of a particular variety are added to boost color or aromatics. Blending can take place before or after fermentation, with the latter, more popular option giving more control to the winemaker over the final qualities of the wine.
How to Serve Red Wine
A common piece of advice is to serve red wine at “room temperature,” but this suggestion is imprecise. After all, room temperature in January is likely to be quite different than in August, even considering the possible effect of central heating and air conditioning systems. The proper temperature to aim for is 55° F to 60° F for lighter-bodied reds and 60° F to 65° F for fuller-bodied wines.
How Long Does Red Wine Last?
Once opened and re-corked, a bottle stored in a cool, dark environment (like your fridge) will stay fresh and nicely drinkable for a day or two. There are products available that can extend that period by a couple of days. As for unopened bottles, optimal storage means keeping them on their sides in a moderately humid environment at about 57° F. Red wines stored in this manner will stay good – and possibly improve – for anywhere from one year to multiple decades. Assessing how long to hold on to a bottle is a complicated science. If you are planning long-term storage of your reds, seek the advice of a wine professional.
Known for opulent red wines with intense power and concentration, McLaren Vale is home to perhaps the most “classic” style of Australian Shiraz. Vinified on its own or in Rhône Blends, these hot-climate wines are deeply colored and high in extract with signature hints of dark chocolate and licorice. Cabernet Sauvignon is also produced in a similar style.
Whites, often made from Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc tend to be opulent and full of tropical, stone and citrus fruit.