A McLaren Vale Icon at 24 Years — The Dead Arm from One of Australia's Most Storied Family Estates

My Wine Man on d'Arenberg

d'Arenberg has been farming McLaren Vale since 1912 — five generations of bold, unconventional winemaking from one of Australia's most storied family estates. The Dead Arm is d'Arenberg's flagship Shiraz, sourced from 100-year-old dry-grown bush vines. The 2001, now 24 years in bottle, is drinking in a deeply rewarding window of maturity — secondary complexity layered over the wine's original power.

Tasting Notes

Deep garnet with a developing brick rim. The nose is complex and inviting — leather, dried herbs, tobacco, dark plum, dried fig, balsamic and forest floor. The palate is fully integrated and elegant — silky tannins, perfect acidity, and a long, complex finish that speaks to 24 years of careful evolution.

Style & Drinking Window

Full-bodied but resolved. Drinking superbly now at peak maturity. Decant for 30 minutes. Drink within 5–7 years.

Food Pairing

A 24-year-old McLaren Vale icon deserves a serious match. We love it with Australian Grass-Fed Cape Grim Rib-Eye Steak from My Meat Man — dry-aged and char-grilled medium-rare with bone-marrow butter, a magnificent partner for the 2001's leather, tobacco and silky mature complexity.