Winemaker Notes
A classic, rich, velvety Shiraz produced from old vines on the family property. The grapes were picked very ripe, and fermented on skins for 7 days in open fermenters, prior to maturing in new and seasoned American oak barriques for 22 months. The wine shows blackberry, menthol and aniseed aromas, with balanced vanillin oak. The palate is full and luscious, with good length and soft tannins. This wine will improve with cellaring over the next 10 years. Very restricted availability.
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.