Alkoomi Southlands Shiraz 2002
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Cool summer temperatures and dry conditions in 2002 led to a very good vintage. Traditional red winemaking techniques were used and the wine was matured for 12 months in a combination of 20% new American barriques and 80% one to four year old French oak barrels (Never and Allier).
The color is deep crimson with purple tinges. The bouquet displays an attractive blend of licorice, spicy plum and black mulberry fruit aromas with a subtle touch of vanillan oak. The palate is loaded with delicious rich cherry and mulberry fruit flavors with big palate flavor and subtle soft tannins. Perfect to serve with a steak or rich pasta dish. Drinking with gusto now and will continue to for the next three years.
Alkoomi (a name taken from a local aboriginal dialect meaning “a place we chose”) is a family owned and operated winery run by Sandy and Rod Hallett. Their fruit is 100% estate grown in the cool climate of Frankland River, a few hours drive southeast of Margaret River.
Sandy’s parents planted the first vines in 1971, producing wine five years later. The vineyard shares similar climatic conditions to those found in Bordeaux. The vineyard is located fifty miles inland from the Southern Ocean, resulting in good winter rains and dry ripening months. Summer days and evenings are cooled by fresh sea breezes, enabling ideal slow ripening of grapes.
All vines are pruned by hand and no herbicides or pesticides are in the vineyard. Any water used during production comes directly from rain collected in dams or tanks. From 2013, solar panels have been installed to minimize carbon footprint and increase energy efficiency.
Today, Sandy and Rod along with winemaker Andrew Cherry work in and oversee all facets of the vineyard and winery. Alkoomi is recognized for its elegant Cabernet, Shiraz and Cabernet blends, while their Riesling has helped establish the reputation of Frankland River as a premier Australian region for this varietal.
Marked by an unmistakable deep purple hue and savory aromatics, Syrah makes an intense, powerful and often age-worthy red. Native to the Northern Rhône, Syrah achieves its maximum potential in the steep village of Hermitage and plays an important component in the Red Rhône Blends of the south, adding color and structure to Grenache and Mourvèdre. Syrah is the most widely planted grape of Australia and is important in California and Washington. Sommelier Secret—Such a synergy these three create together, the Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre trio often takes on the shorthand term, “GSM.”
Quite remote and unequalled in beauty, the wine regions of Westerm Australia promise endless physical and climatic diversity. From the coolest, seaside vineyards to the hottest inland zones, Western Australia is the source of some of the country’s most sought after wines.