Spring Seed Scarlet Runner Shiraz 2022: Tasting Notes

WINE STYLE → Blackberry Jam & Warm Spice

A generous certified organic McLaren Vale Shiraz from Spring Seed Wine Co, made from the Bosworth family’s organically grown vineyard fruit. Scarlet Runner shows a bright nose of berry and spice, with black fruits, black fruit pastille, plum, blackberry, liquorice, anise and a small dark-chocolate note. The palate is medium to full-bodied, juicy and balanced, with fine supple tannins, restrained oak and a long, satisfying finish.

Highlights

• Certified organic and vegan suitable
• Crafted by Spring Seed Wine Co — the Bosworth family’s certified organic McLaren Vale range
• Black fruits, plum, blackberry, liquorice, anise, spice and fine supple tannins
• Shiraz from the Bosworth family’s certified organic McLaren Vale vineyard, including Braden’s, Grange, Denton’s, Edgehill, Chanticleer and Winery blocks
• No current critic score or medal found for this release
• 14.5% ABV

Tasting Notes

Scarlet Runner opens with black fruits and black fruit pastille, moving into plum, blackberry, liquorice, anise, spice and a small dark-chocolate note. The palate is dry, juicy and medium to full-bodied, with a full middle weight, lovely black-fruit depth and fine supple tannins. Older oak sits quietly in support, adding shape without smothering the regional spice and chocolate characters.

Winemaking

The winemaking approach is deliberately steady and fruit-led: pick the Shiraz when flavour and sugar are ripe, ferment in open vessels and small tanks, then mature for around nine months in older oak barrels. Spring Seed uses mostly older French oak with a small amount of American oak and only about 10% new oak. Some fruit is fermented in older oak barrels and some in stainless steel, letting the McLaren Vale fruit, spice and chocolate notes lead.

Vineyard & Vintage

The 2022 Scarlet Runner Shiraz comes from the Bosworth family’s certified organic McLaren Vale vineyard, with fruit drawn from Braden’s, Grange, Denton’s, Edgehill, Chanticleer and Winery blocks. The growing season was close to ideal, with above-average winter and early spring rains followed by a cool, dry summer. That slower, later season delivered high-quality fruit across varieties. Picking took place between 2 and 30 March 2022, and the wine is 14.5% ABV.

Why We Love It

This is McLaren Vale Shiraz in a warm, generous and highly drinkable shape. It has the black fruit and spice people love in the region, but the oak is restrained and the tannins are smooth enough for relaxed dinners. Certified organic and vegan suitable, it is a strong everyday red when you want flavour, comfort and cleaner farming credentials in the same bottle.

Food Pairing

With black fruits, plum, liquorice, anise, dark chocolate and supple tannins, this Shiraz suits slow cooking, charry edges and savoury richness. It is excellent with beef, lamb, tomato-based sauces, smoky eggplant, mushroom dishes and peppery Mediterranean flavours.

Try matching this wine with →

• Tuscan peposo beef stew with black pepper — Find a Recipe
• Smoky eggplant and lentil moussaka — Find a Recipe
• Lamb ragu with pappardelle — Find a Recipe

Mood or occasion to match this wine…

Pour it for pasta night, slow-cooked beef, lamb on the barbecue, mushroom moussaka or a cool evening when a generous organic Shiraz is exactly what the table needs. It is cosy, familiar and quietly satisfying.

Cellaring

Drink now to 2029 for the best mix of black fruit, liquorice, anise and soft tannin. It has enough structure for short-term cellaring, but the fruit and spice are already delicious. Store in a cool, dark place away from heat.

Producer

Spring Seed Wine Co is part of the Bosworth family’s McLaren Vale wine story, based at 92 Gaffney Road in Willunga. The vineyard was established in the early 1970s by Peter and Anthea Bosworth and is now run by Joch Bosworth and Louise Hemsley-Smith. Joch began converting the vineyard to organic viticulture in 1995, and the vines have been certified organic since 1999. Spring Seed’s labels are inspired by vintage flower seed packets, with Scarlet Runner carrying the Hardy and Half Hardy Climbers, Centaurea and Zinnia artwork.

Related Wines To Try →

If you enjoy organic McLaren Vale reds with generous fruit, spice and smooth tannins, these are good bottles to explore next:

• Same producer, organic Cabernet with blackberry and earthy tannins — Spring Seed Cockscomb Cabernet Sauvignon
• Same producer, lighter organic Pinot Noir with strawberry and cherry — Spring Seed Aster Pinot Noir
• Biodynamic McLaren Vale Shiraz with no added preservatives — Paxton NOW Preservative Free Shiraz

FAQ

What does Spring Seed Scarlet Runner Shiraz 2022 taste like?

It tastes generous and dark-fruited, with black fruits, black fruit pastille, plum, blackberry, liquorice, anise and spice. A small dark-chocolate note and restrained oak add warmth without dominating the fruit. The palate is dry, juicy and medium to full-bodied, with fine supple tannins.

Is this Shiraz dry, sweet or full-bodied?

This is a dry red wine, with approximately 2 g/L residual sugar and less than 1 gram of sugar per 100mL. It sits between medium and full-bodied, with 14.5% alcohol and generous black-fruit depth. The fruit is ripe and plush, but the wine is not sweet.

What are the tannins and acidity like?

The tannins are fine and supple, giving the wine structure without a harsh finish. Acidity sits in the medium range, helping the plum and blackberry fruit stay fresh. The overall balance is smooth, juicy and dinner-friendly.

Does this wine contain preservatives or sulphites?

This is a certified organic Shiraz, not a No Added Preservative wine. It may contain sulphites, as most wines do, and organic wines are made to lower allowable sulphur limits than conventional wines. It is certified organic and vegan suitable.

How should I serve Spring Seed Scarlet Runner Shiraz?

Serve at around 16–18°C in a generous red wine glass. A short 15–20 minute decant will help the plum, liquorice and spice notes open. If the room is warm, a very light chill will keep the fruit and alcohol in balance.

What food pairs well with this Shiraz?

It pairs beautifully with Tuscan peposo, lamb ragù, barbecue lamb, beef stew, mushroom moussaka, roasted eggplant and tomato-based pasta. The black fruit and spice suit slow-cooked richness, while the supple tannins work well with protein and umami. For a vegetarian match, try smoky eggplant and lentil moussaka.

Can this Shiraz be cellared?

Yes, it can be cellared short-term. Drink now to 2029 for a balance of juicy black fruit, liquorice, anise and smooth tannin. Keep it somewhere cool, dark and stable.

Is Spring Seed Scarlet Runner Shiraz vegan friendly?

Yes, this wine is vegan suitable. It is also certified organic and made from the Bosworth family’s McLaren Vale vineyard. It is a good choice for drinkers wanting a familiar Shiraz style with organic farming credentials.

Who will enjoy this Shiraz the most?

This is ideal for drinkers who enjoy generous reds with plum, blackberry, spice and smooth tannins. If you like Shiraz, McLaren Vale reds or fruit-driven organic reds, this will suit you well. It is warmer and fuller than a light chillable red, but not dominated by oak.

Is this wine keto friendly?

Yes, this is a dry, low-sugar red wine with approximately 2 g/L residual sugar and less than 1 gram of sugar per 100mL. It can suit many keto-conscious drinkers looking for an organic red. Alcohol still contributes calories, so enjoy it mindfully as part of your broader plan.

(SKU: SS_Shi_CV)