Shiraz is the great red of France's Rhône Valley, and McLaren Vale is one of its finest homes anywhere. Fortis is Latin for strength, and the name fits the wine's dark, powerful core. Ours leans to a more modern McLaren Vale style, bold but balanced, matured around eighteen months in older French and American oak. Look for dark cherry and plum, mocha and cassis, with cracked pepper, smoked meat and a firm, powdery tannin finish.
Fortis means strength, and it drinks like it: dark, savoury and confident. A wine for cold nights, open fires and food off the coals.
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At the Table
Bold and savoury, Fortis wants food with char and richness.
Main Protein Pairings
Fortis is made for the grill and slow-cooked richness.
Thick-cut steak, cooked over coals
Slow-cooked beef short rib or brisket
Lamb shoulder with rosemary and garlic
Peppered or smoked meats and sausages
The wine's pepper and smoked-meat notes echo anything off the barbecue.
Sides & Interesting Pairings
Match the wine's savoury drive.
Mushroom and truffle dishes
Roasted root vegetables with smoked paprika
Aged, hard cheeses
Rich tomato and red-wine braises
Grilled eggplant and capsicum
After Dinner
Go dark and not too sweet.
Dark chocolate, 70% and up
Aged cheddar or a firm blue
Coffee and bitter-chocolate desserts
A Shiraz with purpose. Throw something on the coals and it finds its place.
The Playlist
Tasting notes
About the wine
Fortis is a more modern take on McLaren Vale Shiraz from the 2024 vintage, aiming for elegance and approachability while keeping the region's natural generosity. Maturation was around eighteen months in a mix of older French and American oak, giving structure and integration without heavy oak flavour. Alc 14.5%, pH 3.42, TA 5.78g/L, RS 1.7g/L.