91pts Wine Enthusiast

Savory notes of sage and bay leaf are as forward on the nose as the plum and cherry notes. There’s a lick of vanillin oak showing, too. The abundance of tangy fruit continues its journey in the mouth, lingering on the finish amidst a powerful, well-placed frame of tannins.

90pts James Suckling

Good shiraz, strongly regional, aromatic and attractive. While I query the dryness of the tannins here, there is ample pleasure to be found behind a veneer of violets, purple pastilles, blue fruit, iodine and licorice. A little reduction creates tension without ever becoming too hard.

Winemaker's Notes

Throughout the years Footbolt is becoming the synonym of classic and consistent McLaren Vale Shiraz. Pour in your glass and you will see a crimson-purple colour with a subtle ruby halo. A swirl in the glass and fragrant aromas of dark plum,
blackberry fruits, boysenberries, subtle black pepper and a touch of liquorice will come straight up. On the palate is where the wine becomes fascinating. Rich and opulent black fruits, plums, blackberries and boysenberries are intertwined with cured meat, mocha, peppery spices and a plush coat of red cherries. Tannins are ripe and velvety. Acidity, alcohol and oak balance are impeccable, the length ditto. Great drinking now but will cellar well too.

About the Name

Joseph Osborn was a successful racehorse owner and Footbolt was the pride of his
stable. In 1912 he made the hard decision to sell his horses to purchase the d’Arenberg
property.