Tasting Notes

An elegant full-bodied Heathcote Shiraz with deep garnet colour and a slight purple hue. With a firm structure, and an intrinsic aromatic from the viognier, this wine has upfront regional appeal. Layers of blackberry, plum and middle eastern spice greet the nose and palate, with a hint of star anise. The finish is warm and soft with well-integrated tannins. It’s well balanced and deep and will reward with appropriate cellaring.

Variety: 95% Shiraz co-fermented with 5% Viognier
Vintage: 2018
Harvest Date: 1st March 2018
Vineyard Location: Northwest vineyards
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: 15%
pH: 3.7
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 fruit was estate grown, sourced from north facing slopes of the Dowd’s Lane vineyard. 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:
The fruit was harvested in the first week of March 2018. The shiraz and viognier were picked on the same day and co-fermented in open vats with daily hand plunging, and then basket pressed. The wine was aged for 21 months in 25% new French oak barriques and bottled in September 2018.