Reviews: 96 points Halliday Wine Companion
Winemakers Comments:
The 2018 growing season was divided into two halves. Winter and Spring was cool with good rain fall and moisture in the soils. Vine growth took advantage of these conditions and we achieved great canopies with higher-than-average crop levels heading into summer. High humidity days over the Christmas period saw us walking the vineyard regularly due to the elevated disease pressure. Luckily, Summer turned a corner and we experienced above average temperatures and below average rain fall. This continued through mid-January and February, prompting all varieties to ripen together and quickly. As a result, we experienced a compressed vintage with little time between the early varieties (Chardonnay & Pinot) and the later varieties (Riesling, Shiraz & Cabernet).
Harvest date: 14/03/2018
Baume: 12.7 bè
pH: 3.35
TA: 5.3
Soil: Red volcanic / basalt over clay
Elevation: 180m
Aspect: North
Clone: Unknown
Yields tons/acres: 1.5
Vinification:
Fruit was handpicked in the early morning into small buckets (with bunch selection done in the vineyard). The cool fruit is brought into the winery where it is placed directly into two new 500L barrels (no de-stemming – 100% whole bunch). Then left for around 60 days on skins during which wild fermentation and wild malolactic fermentation take place. The wine and must is then drained out and pressed directly back to one of the 500L barrels. The wine is then matured for 10-12 months, bottled using no fining or filtration. This wine is 100% whole bunch, 100% wild ferment, 100% wild MLF, 100% barrel fermented using 100% new oak.
Tasting Notes:
A great vintage for Shiraz, especially our Old Vine Shiraz block. The wine shows great depth of flavour and tannins that we haven’t seen for some time. The tannins are now softening, and the wine is now showing more complex fruit characters, spice and savouriness. A wine to have in the cellar, so be patient and leave a few for 5-10 years. Drink 2025-2035
Wine Analysis:
Production: 55 dozen
Alcohol: 13.1%
Ph: 3.67
Acidity: 7.0 g/L