Royal Melbourne Wine Awards
Winner – The Trevor Mast trophy for best Shiraz
Vineyard
Our four acre Shiraz block was planted in 1997 and now that the vines are mature and deep rooted, they are remarkably vigorous, requiring a lot of work to keep them under control. The results of this work make it worth it as they deliver wonderfully concentrated fruit full of raspberry and pepper with a mineral edge. The vines are spur pruned on VSP trellis and planted in grey clay soil dotted with ironstone and mudstone pebbles. Perhaps these stones contribute to the mineral notes in our Shiraz.
Winemaking
Our Shiraz block was hand picked in late February and much of the fruit was foot stomped to release the juice from the bunches (this wine is a large portion whole bunch fermented) before undergoing fermentation with wild yeasts. The warm spice aromas of the ferment were deliciously intoxicating! A short post-ferment maceration soaked the tannins from the skins and stalks before pressing off to barrel (French oak). A slow, wild malolactic fermentation over the cold winter followed and the wine was then prepared for bottling whilst still vibrant. The wine was bottled without fining or filtration.
Appearance
Attractive, deep violet in colour.
On the nose
A little shy at first, with aromas of graphite stone and bay leaf, the wine soon comes to life to display its full plumage of boysenberry, cloves and pink peppercorn.
On the palate
The palate has both volume and length, with a gentle lingering grip on the finish (fine, youthful tannins). The fruit is coated in spice with this wine as juicy raspberries intermingle with cedar, myrtle and anise. This is modern Australian Shiraz inspired more by Northern Rhone than Barossa.
Cellaring
Delicious drinking now but no rush (I would love to revisit this one in 10 years).
Volume 488 cases
$40 / 750ml Bottle
$480 / 12 x 750ml Bottle