Winemaker Notes
Production Area
Grapes for this wine are sourced from vineyards throughout Victoria, Australia, including Brown Brothers Banksdale and Milawa vineyards
Grape Varieties
89% Shiraz, 7% Petit Verdot, 2% Mondeuse, 2% Cabernet Sauvignon
Vinification
Following malolactic fermentation, different parcels of the wine spend varying time in new oak; between 12 and 15 months. A range of oak types are used, with 87.7% in American barriques and puncheons and 12.3% in French barriques. The wine is bottled with an alcohol of 14.3%, a pH of 3.52 and an acid level of 6.2 gr/l
Color
Deep, saturated black/red
Bouquet
Aromas of blackberry, plum, mocha, cloves and cinnamon
Taste
Typical full, soft, rich Shiraz structure, with smoky oak nuances, spicy flavors and firm tannins
Serving Suggestions
A perfect accompaniment to grilled rack of lamb with garlic and rosemary, traditional cassoulet and beef and mushroom dishes
Professional Ratings
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.