Mr Mick Shiraz 2014

Mr Mick Shiraz is a combination of violet and blueberry fruit bouquet with nuances of oak, spice and apricot.

Clare Valley. American oak. Shiraz. Released as a four-year-old, at $17.

It’s toasty and malty, blackberried and coffeed, with saltbush and toffee-like nuances. A sprinkle of saltbush too. Truth is that it has the sweet, ripe fruit and the complement of oak to keep most red wine drinkers happy, at a modest price. – Campbell Mattinson

“90 points,Special Value” “A 6-vineyard blend, matured for 18 months in oak barrels (mainly French). As generous and honest as the man it honours (the late Mick Knappstein),and is by some distance the best of the Mr Mick range, with its juicy array of blackcurrant, red cherry and fine-grainedtannins. Greatvalue.” – James Halliday’s Wine Companion ’15

“Bargain Of The Week. This is Tim Adams’ budget label, named in honour of his mentor, Mick Knappstein. It has good depth of colour, simple red-fruit and herbal aromas and is clean and well made. It is lighter weighted within the shiraz context; smooth and easygoing with moderate tannins. Now to four years. 14 per cent alcohol. Food: Herbed rissoles.”- Huon Hooke, goodfood.com.au.

“When Tim Adams made this wine in 2010 he would never have imagined a year down the track owning the historic Leasingham Winery. He sourced shiraz from the Rogers, Sheeoak and Vine vineyards, made the wine and moved it to oak barrels for maturation. The wine emerged from barrel 18 months later and Adams allocated it to the brand new Mr Mick label – a budget brand created for the old Leasingham operation. It’s a lovely wine at this price, showing attractive cherry-like and spicy shiraz varietal aroma and flavours. The palate’s rich but not heavy, and the tannins soft and easy.”- Chris Shanahan 2012, The Canberra Times, November 11, 2012.

“Here’s a good value wine. Spice, dark fruit, some mint and toasty vanilla oak. Medium weight mixed berry flavour and oak seasoning the recipe-massaged smooth and tasty-length good. Can’t imagine anyone not enjoying this typical fleshy Clare Valley, not least given the price.”- Gary Walsh, The Wine Front.

“The Mr Mick endeavor is a brave nod to tradition and respect – for those and that which has come before. It’s natural and appropriate that the initial offerings include a traditional blend of cabernet and shiraz. You’d be hard-pressed to find fault with this. The flavours are seamlessly woven. Currants, ground coffee, bay leaves and violets. It’s got lift and life and flavour. It’s not a big, look-at-me wine, it’s just bang on (or above) the money.” Rated : 90 Points Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front September, 2011

A new brand created by Tim Adams to honour his late mentor, Mick Knappstein, who gave Tim his first wine job as a cellar hand at Leasingham Winery in 1975.

Not only has Adams struck a label honouring Knappstein’s mentoring role, earlier this year he purchased the historic Leasingham winery from global wine giant Accolade Wines. To his great credit, Adams, who launched his eponymous label in 1987, never forgot the important break Knappstein gave him and the guidance he offered in helping to shape his career.

“One of Mick’s passions was to make wines for everyone to enjoy,” remembers Adams. “The Mr Mick range is a reflection of that philosophy. They are approachable and flavoursome wines with good regional and varietal definition.”