Katnook Estate Prodigy Shriaz 1999
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Prodigy is Katnook Estate's flagship Shiraz and in the words of winemaker Wayne Stehbens, "is a seemless marriage of rich, intense fruit and spicy, chocolaty oak with a palate that can only be described as luxurious."
Exceptional fruit from very low yielding vines with optimum exposure was the essence of the wine. The wines display great character, excellent colours, outstanding fruit with good varietal definition and warm generous flavours. Suggested cellaring is medium to long (10 to 20 years).
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Concentrated flavours, fine balance and integrity of regional and varietal character, are all hallmarks of the Katnook Estate range which includes a Chardonnay Brut, Riesling, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and most recently Shiraz. A very small quantity of dessert wine is also made when conditions are favourable.
Though Syrah originated in the Rhône Valley of France, Australia is home to the oldest Syrah (called Shiraz here) vines on the planet. Found in Australia’s Barossa Valley, where phylloxera has never threated viticulture, these ancient vines are between 140 to 175 years old!
Having brought fame and merit to the country’s wine scene since the early 1950s, namely via the debut of Penfolds Grange, today Syrah (Shiraz) claims rank as the most widely planted grape in Australia. In fact, the amount of land dedicated to Shiraz in Australia is now almost equivalent to what it is in France. Australian Shiraz has its own personality with flavors and aromas of intense blackberry, fruitcake, menthol, tobacco leaf and umami. Conveniently one can find great Australian Shiraz at a variety of price points but the very best will be dense, gloriously complex and capable of long aging.