The Tb points given to this wine are the world’s most valid and most up-to-date evaluation of the quality of the wine. Tastingbook points are formed by the Tastingbook algorithm which takes into account the wine ratings of the world's 50 best-known professional wine critics, wine ratings by thousands of tastingbook’s professionals and users, the generally recognised vintage quality and reputation of the vineyard and winery. Wine needs at least five professional ratings to get the Tb score. Tastingbook.com is the world's largest wine information service which is an unbiased, non-commercial and free for everyone.
Viinin Kuvailu
The Story
Chapel Hill is built around an historic stone church, so it's entirely appropriate that the estate's flagship wine be named The Vicar. More wine Vicar? A McLaren Vale icon which has previously claimed the prestigious Australia Trophy and twice collected Silver at the London International. The Vicar embodies true excellence, is only released in the best years and has only ever attended seven times in the history of Chapel Hill. Some vintages can be a smart assemblage of noble varietals, others might be fashioned from outstanding parcels of Shiraz.
The Vicar's complexity and richness, almost of biblical proportions, combine with superfine tannins, eternal in length. Shiraz is sourced from mature, low yielding vines. Fruit from Trembath Vineyard's Front Block and Inkwell Vineyard, Blocks 1 & 2. Lots are separately harvested and vinified in open fermenters to ensure each articulates the unique character of source. All ferments remain on skins a minimum of ten days before nineteen months ageing in a selection of new and prior use French and American 300 litres oak hogsheads. Barrels are racked and returned periodically throughout the maturation, to seamlessly integrate tannins and ensure that minimal filtration or fining is required before bottling. Alcohol 14.5%
A vibrant, deep crimson colour. The nose shows black fruits and fleshy berries without oak dominance. Layers of opulent mulberry, roasted fennel seed, liquorice and mocha flavours are seamlessly interlinked by sublime savoury textures. A synergistic balance of palate weight, tannin extract and acidity, exhibiting harmony, richness and complexity.
Wine Information
Originally the Christian Bible Church for the local area then later also used as a parish school; the chapel closed in its centenary year (1965) and fell into disrepair until its restoration in the 1970s by Adelaide Professor, Tom Nelson. Tom commenced the establishment of a winery and the Chapel Hill brand in 1973 and six years later the site was purchased by a partnership of the Sellick and Gerrard families who enjoyed considerable success in developing the Chapel Hill wines. Gerrard bought out the Sellick family in the 80’s. A new winery was constructed in 1994 with a capacity of 1000 tonnes the equivalent of around 80,000 cases of wine. In 2000 Chapel Hill was acquired by the Swiss based family of Thomas Schmidheiny.
Chapel Hill owns and operates 44 hectares of vineyards and purchases fruit from a select group of McLaren Vale and Adelaide Hills vignerons.
Since 2006 there have been a number of significant changes within the business. Changes to vineyards, wine styles, packaging and personnel have significantly contributed to a new look Chapel Hill that is totally dedicated to producing the best possible quality range of wines that articulate the stylistic expression the region.
In 2003 we opened The Retreat showcasing the very best of McLaren Vale regional food, wine and accomodation experiences.
