2022 Mr Riggs The Gaffer Shiraz

Named in honour of John “The Gaffer” Riggs (1814-1902), the great-great-great grandfather of winemaker Ben Riggs, this McLaren Vale blended Shiraz was made to acknowledge 150 years of the Riggs family’s rich farming heritage in South Australia. Grapes for the 2021 The Gaffer Shiraz have been sourced from five of McLaren Vale’s best vineyards; Martins, Gateway, John Rivers, Tim Hunts and Ben Riggs’ Piebald Gully Vineyard.
Since 2006 The Gaffer Shiraz has unapologetically worn its pink cap in acknowledgement of Mr Riggs partnership with the Flinders Foundation – a portion of sales proceeds from every bottle of Gaffer being donated to help in their fight against cancer.
Impenetrable inky black heart with a very deep dark red black hue. Drifting out of the glass are blackberry, liquorice and dark plum scents which are followed by some scorched earth and peppered fennel like notes. Rich, juicy dark plum, liquorice and black cherry fruits flood the mouth with vanillin cedar, scorched earth and blackpepper characters lending further nuance. Sturdy, slightly chalky tannins provide underlying structure. Concludes with good freshness and loads of fruit laced with blackpepper.
Cellar 5-6 years.
Alc. 14.5%

Other Reviews....
Winemaker Ben Riggs has for the past 18 years donated proceeds from The Gaffer to a broad range of cancer research. Apart from the good cause it contributes to, the wine itself has a worthy place as a full regional snapshot, sourced from five vineyards across different sub-districts of the Vale, all vinified separately with an average of 90% French and 10% American oak employed before the blending of parts. All eyes here on showcasing rich black fruits wrapped in some enticing Aussie terroir and winemaking influence in the form of lovely dark choc-mint background notes. Definitely focused on flavour, yet with impressive structural integrity evenly set to still allow a softly-softly finish through the palate. A handsome wine in anyone’s language. 
93 points
Tony Love - WinePilot.com