Alpha Crucis Titan Shiraz 2017

The 2017 Alpha Crucis Titan Shiraz offers aromas of cherries and red currants, combined with lifted florals and a hint of French vanilla. This wine is medium to full bodied, with layers of red fruit across the palate integrated with lovely spice notes that linger across the long fine finish. It's beautifully made with exceptional balance.

• Winery: Chalk Hill
  
• Varietal: Shiraz
  
• Region: McLaren Vale
  
• Vintage: 2017
  
• Alcohol: 14.5%
  
• Volume: 750ml
  
• Closure: Screwcap
• Food match: Lamb roast, beef, game meat, pork & pepperoni; tuna & salmon; pizza; BBQ & heavy red sauces; bleu-veined cheeses

Alpha Crucis is the brightest star in the Southern Cross constellation, the most conspicuous star formation visible from the southern hemisphere. Alpha Crucis wines aspire to be the best and brightest wines from Chalk Hill's vineyards in McLaren Vale. Chalk Hill only release Alpha Crucis wines in those years that satisfy their uncompromising principles of quality and varietal integrity.

The story of Chalk Hill starts in 1839 when John Harvey arrived in Adelaide, which was then a three-year-old colony of just 6,000 people.

John was the second person to plant grapes north of Adelaide in the town he established and named Salisbury, in honour of his wife's birthplace in England. Little did he realise that he was starting a grape-growing and wine-making heritage that continues six generations and over 180 years later.

“Both my father Walter Harvey and I moved from Salisbury to establish vineyards in McLaren Vale, after recognising the superior grape growing conditions here,” says the current John Harvey, patriarch of Chalk Hill.

“The vineyard I purchased in Willunga was first planted with Grenache in 1897 and these centurions are still producing fantastic grapes today. It was also this vineyard where Diana and I made our home and raised three children – Kate, Jock and Tom.

“Today, they are all involved in the wine community, with Kate a General Manager at Wine Australia, Jock running his own vineyards and Tom running Chalk Hill Wines. So, I guess you could say the sixth generation is keeping the family wine heritage alive!”

Today Chalk Hill has five vineyards across McLaren Vale, including the Chalk Hill vineyard that was planted in 1969 and is now home to the newly opened Chalk Hill Tasting Room.

The Chalk Hill brand started organically, as John explains: “Our focus was growing grapes for some of the best wineries in Australia. Each year we kept a few parcels of grapes to make some wine for gifting to family and friends, but that soon changed when we started getting hit up for orders before the grapes were picked. The business grew out of a demand instead of a business plan, and largely on the philosophy of making great wines to share with friends."

“Wine tells a story of the place we live. It shows the climate over the growing season, the soil in which it was grown, and the way the grapes have been tended to from the vineyard to the bottle. There can be nothing more beguiling, rewarding and enjoyable experience than trying to discover this story with friends and loved ones.” 

• 5 Stars & 94/100 Points - Sam Kim, Wine Orbit
  
• Gold - 2019 AWC Vienna International Wine Challenge
  
• 92/100 Points - James Suckling
  
• 91/100 Points - Steve Creber, Wine Companion