Genders 2001 “McLaren Park” Shiraz
Rating: American Wine Spectator - 90

Grown and made at the Genders family’s “McLaren Park” vineyard and winery which are adjacent to the township of McLaren Vale. The Genders have owned the property since 1948.

The Shiraz grapes for this wine are sourced from the tiny 1.1 hectare North Block. The clone is unknown, simply marked as the “Genders” Shiraz clone in the local vine nursery. The vines are hand pruned to low yield.

Vinification: This is as hands on as the viticulture. Two tonne parcels are fermented separately in small, purpose built static fermenters. The wine is then matured in American oak for eighteen months. We then bottle age the wine extensively, prior to release.

Wine Style: The colour is a bright but deep garnet red.

The nose displays earth, ripe red fruit scents, such as those of plum, and fresh mulberries with spicy notes of cinnamon, cumin, even a dash of tumeric. With breathing some chocolate notes appear, backed up by a little vanilla and cedar.

The palate is plum like and warm, with great length and a velvety texture. This wine will show its best with a little breathing. Food matches which should be marvelous are venison, beef, hare, Peking duck, lamb, robust pasta dishes, or a favorite of mine, which comes to mind-veal soffritto.

Genders 2002 "Duncan" Cabernet Sauvignon

Picked on the basis of flavour intensity I have tried to maximize the elegance in the wine which I saw in the fruit. Only now, after extensive ageing, first in barrel then in bottle, all under temperature controlled conditions, is this wine ready to release. This is a serious style of wine which has warranted only the best fine grain French oak ageing, for two years.

I recommend decanting in order to maximize the nose and thrilling characters which will evolve.

Colour: Reddish black, medium hue.

Nose: Roses, fresh tea and hydrangea, backed up by cedary notes from the French oak. Further breathing shows red currant notes.

Palate: This is a wine with dry, dusty tannins, backed up with red currant like fruit. It is reasonably fine and elegant. It is not meant to be a jammy fruit bomb.

Undoubtedly this wine is marked to be enjoyed with the finest roast beef, duckling pork or lamb.

A wine which should cellar beautifully for some years.

Genders 2003 “Park Drive” Shiraz Cabernet
Rating: Top of Class - Winestate Magazine

The grapes for this wine were grown at the Genders family’s vineyard, which is adjacent to the township of McLaren Vale in South Australia. The wine was also made at the winery on the property.

The “Park Drive” is the result of the efforts of Keith Genders, as the vigneron, and his daughter, Diana, who is the winemaker.

Keith Genders started the winery in 1968, as the first “boutique” winery in the district. The family of Diana’s mother had been making wine in McLaren Vale since 1900.

A range of clonal material and soil types are included in this comprehensive blend of Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, with a hint of Merlot. The separate components received fourteen months maturation in French and American oak before being combined for this blend.

The aroma is of freshly brushed boots, cinnamon, blackberry, soft and leathery. The palate is of juicy boysenberry and red currant, with a firmish structure. Half an hour of breathing is recommended for this wine. Due to the minimal handling in the production of this wine decanting is recommended.

Food combinations would be a spicy steak (with coriander and black pepper), chicken cacciatore or possibly a really deluxe pizza.