"In 1998, the winemakers of the McLaren Vale concocted an idea to raise money for a new visitors’ center in the region. Wineries contributed various parcels of wine which were then blended at D’Arenberg Winery and released as a sparkling shiraz. A year later, 300 cases of magnums were released, of which 100 entered the US market. Named the McLaren Vale Millennium Magnum, this rare sparkling red is a blend of 23 wineries from the region and contains vintages ranging from 1993 to 1999. Originally released at $149.99, The Jug Shop sold six cases to rave reviews from our customers. Over the ensuing years, we’ve found a case here and there but assumed it was all gone. That is until the folks at Aussie wine importer Old Bridge Cellars responded to our urgent plea for more red fizz and unearthed a bit more in their cellar.

The Millennium Magnum is one of the best sparkling reds I’ve tasted in over 10 years of gulping the red fizz. It’s quite full bodied and rich with incredible concentration of fruit. The wine definitely speaks to its McLaren Vale heritage with hints of dark spice and a slightly firm finish. It’s a bit softer and more mellow than a few years ago but there’s plenty of life left in this wine. The Jug Shop is set to receive the last 30 bottles of this special sparkling shiraz in October, just in time for you to enjoy for the upcoming holidays."  Chuck Hayward's Down Under Digest, Issue No. 21, Sept. 2005.