{"product_id":"dandelion-vineyards-lioness-of-mclaren-vale-shiraz","title":"Dandelion Vineyards Lioness of McLaren Vale Shiraz","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;\"\u003eProduct Information\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;\"\u003eCountry\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-tab-count: 2;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eItaly\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;\"\u003eRegion\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-tab-count: 2;\"\u003e Barossa\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;\"\u003eGrape Variety\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-tab-count: 2;\"\u003e Shiraz\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;\"\u003eVintage\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-tab-count: 2;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e2023\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;\"\u003eABV\u003cspan style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;\"\u003e14.5%\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/divinefinewines.co.uk\/search?q=dandelion\" title=\"Dandelion Vineyards Wine Collection\"\u003eDandelion Vineyards\u003c\/a\u003e Lioness of McLaren Vale \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/divinefinewines.co.uk\/collections\/shiraz-syrah\" title=\"Shiraz Wine Collection\"\u003eShiraz\u003c\/a\u003e 2023\u003c\/strong\u003e is a refined, site-driven Shiraz from the elevated Bakers Gully subregion of \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/divinefinewines.co.uk\/collections\/mclaren-vale\" title=\"McLaren Vale Wine Collection\"\u003eMcLaren Vale\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e. Crafted from mature vines grown in ironstone-rich soils and aged in predominantly seasoned French oak, this elegant 2023 release captures the finesse and freshness of a cooler vintage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDesigned for lovers of structured yet aromatic Australian Shiraz, Lioness 2023 balances dark fruit power with lifted florals and savoury spice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWine Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e• Wine: Dandelion Vineyards Lioness of McLaren Vale Shiraz 2023\u003cbr\u003e• Producer: Dandelion Vineyards\u003cbr\u003e• Region: McLaren Vale, South \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/divinefinewines.co.uk\/collections\/australia\" title=\"Australian Wine Collection\"\u003eAustralia\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e• Subregion: Bakers Gully\u003cbr\u003e• Grape Variety: 100% Shiraz\u003cbr\u003e• Vineyard Elevation: 160 metres\u003cbr\u003e• Oak Ageing: 16 months French oak barriques\u003cbr\u003e• Fining\/Filtration: Unfined \u0026amp; unfiltered\u003cbr\u003e• Vintage: 2023\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSingle Vineyard: Bakers Gully Terroir\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLioness of McLaren Vale is sourced exclusively from Angus and Helen Tuck’s vineyard in Bakers Gully, a prized elevated pocket within McLaren Vale at 160 metres above sea level.\u003cbr\u003eHere, mature Shiraz vines thrive, or struggle, in ironstone pebble-laden clay loam soils. Beneath this loam lies ancient Kurrajong Formation geology: a silica-cemented conglomerate ideally suited to growing expressive Shiraz. These well-draining soils naturally limit vigour and concentrate flavour, contributing to the wine’s structural precision and mineral edge.\u003cbr\u003eThe result is a McLaren Vale Shiraz that speaks clearly of place, powerful yet composed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2023 Vintage: Cool, Slow \u0026amp; Site-Expressive\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 2023 growing season in McLaren Vale was notably cooler and wetter than average. Above-average winter and spring rainfall delayed budburst and early vine development. Cooler, rain-affected flowering increased disease pressure, and reduced fruit set, leading to significantly lower yields.\u003cbr\u003eSummer remained mild, extending ripening and pushing harvest into April—later than typical for the region.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile challenging in the vineyard, these conditions produced wines of:\u003cbr\u003e• Enhanced aromatic lift\u003cbr\u003e• Fresh natural acidity\u003cbr\u003e• Refined tannin structure\u003cbr\u003e• Clear vineyard expression\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe philosophy behind Dandelion Vineyards Lioness 2023 is purity of fruit and respect for vineyard character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e• Hand-picked fruit\u003cbr\u003e• Whole bunches fermented together\u003cbr\u003e• Open-top fermenters\u003cbr\u003e• Indigenous (ambient) yeasts\u003cbr\u003e• Hand-plunged for 12 days\u003cbr\u003e• Basket pressed\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe wine was matured for 16 months in French oak barriques, some new, though predominantly older oak to preserve fruit clarity. It was bottled without fining or filtration, maintaining texture, structure, and authenticity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis hands-on approach delivers a Shiraz that is expressive, structured, and true to its origins.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes – Dandelion Vineyards Lioness of McLaren Vale 2023\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAppearance: Deep crimson with purple hues.\u003cbr\u003eAroma: Ripe plum and dark berry notes intertwine with lifted violet florals, cracked black pepper, rosemary, and hints of dark chocolate.\u003cbr\u003ePalate: Medium to full-bodied with impressive freshness. Black plum and wild raspberry fruit are framed by dry, fine-grained tannins and vibrant acidity. The oak influence is subtle, adding spice and structure without overshadowing the fruit.\u003cbr\u003eFinish: Long, savoury, and poised with lingering pepper and mineral tones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood Pairing Suggestions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLioness 2023 pairs beautifully with:\u003cbr\u003e• Grilled ribeye steak\u003cbr\u003e• Herb-crusted lamb rack\u003cbr\u003e• Slow-roasted duck\u003cbr\u003e• Chargrilled vegetables\u003cbr\u003e• Hard aged cheeses\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eServe at 16–18°C and decant for 45–60 minutes for optimal aromatic expression.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAgeing Potential\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThanks to its balanced acidity, structured tannins, and careful oak maturation, Dandelion Lioness of McLaren Vale 2023 will reward cellaring for 8–12 years. Over time, expect further savoury development and integration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy Buy Dandelion Vineyards Lioness of McLaren Vale 2023?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e• Single-vineyard Shiraz from Bakers Gully\u003cbr\u003e• Cool-vintage elegance and freshness\u003cbr\u003e• Hand-picked, whole-bunch fermented\u003cbr\u003e• 16 months French oak ageing\u003cbr\u003e• Unfined and unfiltered\u003cbr\u003e• Excellent cellaring potential\u003cbr\u003e• Limited-production McLaren Vale Shiraz\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is not a heavy, over-extracted style it is a refined, terroir-driven McLaren Vale Shiraz that highlights vineyard character and vintage nuance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExplore more \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/divinefinewines.co.uk\/collections\/australia?pf_t_type=Red+Wine\" title=\"Australian Red Wines\"\u003eAustralian Red Wines\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExplore more \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/divinefinewines.co.uk\/collections\/shiraz-syrah\" title=\"Shiraz Syrah Wine Collection\"\u003eShiraz\/Syrah Wines\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExplore more \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/divinefinewines.co.uk\/collections\/red-wine?pf_p_price=13.75%3A20\" title=\"Red Wines Under £20\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRed Wines Under £20\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eQ. Is Lioness 2023 a full-bodied Shiraz?\u003cbr\u003eA, It sits between medium and full-bodied, offering structure and depth without excessive weight, thanks to the cooler 2023 vintage conditions.\u003cbr\u003eQ. What makes McLaren Vale Shiraz special?\u003cbr\u003eA. McLaren Vale combines Mediterranean climate influences with diverse geology, producing Shiraz wines known for richness, spice, and texture, balanced by natural freshness.\u003cbr\u003eQ. Should I decant this wine?\u003cbr\u003eA. Yes. Decanting for 45–60 minutes enhances aromatic lift and softens the tannin structure.\u003cbr\u003eQ. Is this wine suitable for ageing?\u003cbr\u003eA. Absolutely. It has the balance and structure to evolve gracefully for up to a decade or more.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiscover Award-Winning Australian Wines from Dandelion Vineyards\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDandelion Vineyards is a boutique Australian winery led by acclaimed winemaker Elena Brooks and her husband Zar Brooks. Their handcrafted wines reflect the character of some of South Australia's most iconic wine regions, including the Barossa Valley, Eden Valley, Adelaide Hills, McLaren Vale, and Fleurieu Peninsula.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBorn and raised in Bulgaria, Elena Brooks grew up surrounded by winemaking. At just 12 years old, she began interpreting wine tastings for international winemakers visiting her mother's winery. By the age of 16, she had crafted her first wine. Her global winemaking journey eventually led her to McLaren Vale, where she co-founded Dandelion Vineyards with a focus on minimal intervention and expressive vineyard-driven wines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe wines of Dandelion Vineyards are made from old-vine fruit and showcase a pure sense of place. Wine critic Nick Stock described Elena's approach as \"remarkably simple,\" capturing the essence of what he calls the \"blessed curve\", a sweep of premium wine country stretching from the Barossa Valley to the Adelaide Hills and down into McLaren Vale.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Divine Fine Wines","offers":[{"title":"75cl \/ Tax Included","offer_id":52892838920535,"sku":null,"price":14.25,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"12x75cl Case \/ Tax Included","offer_id":52892840493399,"sku":null,"price":171.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0929\/5334\/6391\/files\/Dandelion-Lioness-McLaren-Vale-Shiraz-2023.jpg?v=1772275865","url":"https:\/\/divinefinewines.co.uk\/products\/dandelion-vineyards-lioness-of-mclaren-vale-shiraz","provider":"Divine Fine Wines","version":"1.0","type":"link"}