Unctuously sweet fortified Shiraz, spicy and full of dried fruit, including figs and apricots, rounded out with nuts and spice.

2008 is a tale of two vintages for red wines in McLaren Vale. Winter rain ensured the soil reached filled capacity and set the vines up perfectly with healthy balanced canopies. A normal spring and an unseasonably cool January and February meant most vines remained stress free and for early picked parcels flavour ripeness was achieved at reasonably low sugar levels and high natural acidity. However, a sustained heat wave in early March forced frantic picking and resulted in rich ripe characters. The Footbolt is a blend of both the early and late picked parcels and accordingly is balanced with the ripe characters well in check.

Small batches of grapes are gently crushed and then transferred to five tonne headed down open fermenters. Foot treading is undertaken two thirds of the way through fermentation. The wine is then basket pressed and a small amount of fine, fortifying brandy spirit is added, ending fermentation and retaining the sweet fruit richness of the style. The Vintage Fortified does not spend any time in wood prior to bottling.

Perfect with chocolate desserts or blue cheese.