Tasting Notes
A full-bodied vibrant shiraz style. There are hints of dried flowers and sour cherry on the nose, with dark spices and blood plums on the palate. The tannins are well integrated, and the finish is long and smooth on the palate. This wine will age gracefully for 10+ years.
Variety: 100% shiraz
Vintage: 2018
Harvest Date: 19th Feb to 17th March 2018
Vineyard Location: Whitegate(east facing) and Dowd’s Lane (west facing)
Geology / Soil Profile: Deep, red rocky clay loam (derived from Cambrian Rock)
Viticulture Practices: Un-irrigated vineyards, zero tillage grass sward between rows, cane pruned
Yields: 1.2 tonne/acre
Alcohol: 14.8%
pH: 3.66
Production: 257 dozen (514 cases)
Bottle Packaging: 750 ml punted burgundy
Closure: Stelvin ROTP Screwcap
Cartons: 6 bottles in branded cartons 1 x 6 stand-up.
The 2018 Vintage:
2018 had a relatively dry ripening season, resulting in relatively lower yields but very good quality. Smaller berries mean higher skin to juice ratio, therefore the vines gave up great colour and natural tannins. The dry weather meant that minimal spraying for pests and diseases was required, so the fruit was free from chemical intervention.
The Vineyard:
All the fruit was sourced from the Dowd’s Lane vineyard which is on the west side of the ridge, and Whitegate, which is on the east side. The vines are unirrigated and relatively low yielding. They are cane-pruned by hand and wrapped to a single wire trellis to encourage some bunch shading during the heat of summer.
The Winemaking:
This wine is a blend of vineyard blocks facing east and west, and a range of picking dates spanning a month. Natural complexity of flavours is created by combining the different site aspects and picking dates and the use of new and older French oak. The grapes were hand-picked, plunged in open fermenters, basket pressed and aged for 18 months with minimal chemical intervention.
