Winemaker Notes
Shiraz has long been recognised for growing particularly well in the warmer and drier regions of Australia such as Mudgee. The vineyard soils vary from fertile, rich red through to brown loam underlaid by granite and quartz subsoils. As well as its Westerly location the vineyards are blessed with an elevation of 550-600 metres above sea level, resulting in low night time temperatures which enables the colour pigments and natural acidity within the fruit to stabilise, thus allowing flavour to fully ripen whilst retaining overall structural balance.
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.