Basket Pressed Shiraz

Three Dark Horses sources fruit from McLaren Vale, South Australia's premier warm-climate Shiraz region, where sandy loam soils and diurnal temperature swings between the Gulf St. Vincent and inland plateaus concentrate phenolic ripeness while preserving acidity.

The basket press technique—a gentler, traditional extraction method—applies graduated pressure to whole-bunch and destemmed fruit, yielding silkier tannin integration than mechanical pressing. This approach favors mid-palate texture over aggressive extraction, allowing the wine's structural components to develop complexity rather than astringency.

Expect dark plum, black pepper, and subtle licorice from the region's warm vintage conditions, with the basket-press signature evident in the wine's approachable mid-palate and refined grip on the finish. The 2021 and 2022 vintages show immediate drinkability while retaining 5–7 years' cellaring potential.