In 1980, Geoff Hardy left the then family company, Thomas Hardy & Sons, to make his own way in the Australian wine world. The same year, he established Pertaringa and since then the Pertaringa vineyards in the foothills behind McLaren Vale have continued to produce some of the region's finest wines. The soils are enriched from the hills above and the cooler climate, further tempered by the sea breezes off St Vincent's Gulf, sets the scene for high quality wine grapes.

The Undercover Shiraz is named in recognition of McLaren Vale’s history of supplying other regions with our finest red grapes. Known as the mid palate of Australia, McLaren Vale fruit is well regarded for its ability to improve the quality and richness of wines from other regions.

An absolutely cracking McLaren Vale Shiraz from a top vintage, what more could you want? Small batch ferment, eight days on skins, and then maturation for 18 months in French oak. The colour is a vibrant and yet near opaque magenta with ripe flavours just oozing through here. Chocolate, mocha and coffee bean notes, this is rich and full with big, bold flavours. Expect this to provide great pleasure over the next decade and more. If this rich style is your thing, you’ll love this. Tasted: January 2024; Drink: 2024 - 2034; Price: $32.00; Rating: 95 Points; Ken Gargett