Maxwell Silver Hammer Shiraz 2020 (McLaren Vale)

The Maxwell winery is located on the south-facing slope of a solid limestone hill in the heart of McLaren Vale. This limestone provides excellent drainage, creating an environment perfect for shiraz vineyards of the highest quality. The shiraz for Silver Hammer is sourced from numerous parcels on the Maxwell estate, offering a consistency of style and quality year on year.

The start of the 2020 vintage was drier than average with rainfall 20% below average, a benefit being low disease risk. In late November, we had a very hot day followed by strong gusty winds, which reduced the crop by up to 50%.

The vines then endured a hot December, but relief came in January, with a period of a 12 days straight of a perfect 30˚C. Welcome rain came in early February, which helped to freshen the leaves prior to harvest. The result has been wines of intense flavours and colour, but only half the volume of a normal year.