96 Points James Halliday | 12-Year-Old McLaren Vale Icon — Now Approaching Its Peak

The 2013 d'Arenberg The Dead Arm Shiraz is one of McLaren Vale's most celebrated single-vineyard expressions — now 12 years in bottle and approaching its drinking peak.

My Wine Man on d'Arenberg

d'Arenberg has been farming McLaren Vale since 1912 — five generations of bold, unconventional winemaking. The Dead Arm — named for the eutypa fungus that gradually kills half a vine's wood, concentrating fruit on the surviving cordon — is d'Arenberg's flagship Shiraz, sourced from 100-year-old vines.

Tasting Notes

Deep crimson with developing complexity. Blackberry, dark plum, dark chocolate, leather, savoury herbs and a touch of clove. The palate is full-bodied with poised ripe tannins and a long, savoury finish. 96 Points — James Halliday.

Style & Drinking Window

Full-bodied with poised tannins. Drinking beautifully now at 12 years, with structure to continue through 2032. Decant 1 hour.

Food Pairing

A 96-point McLaren Vale icon at its peak deserves a serious cut. 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 match for the Dead Arm's blackberry, dark chocolate and savoury McLaren Vale tannins.