The Hallmark 2018
100% Premium Shiraz
Released February 2021
750ml
An exceptional full-bodied shiraz with a deep garnet red colour and a purple hue. There are violets and red plum on the nose with a hint of vanilla. The palate is generous and complex; the floral notes of this wine compliment the firm acidity, and the plum and blackberry mingle with the tannins to give a long dry finish. With appropriate cellaring conditions this wine will age for up to 20 years.
Awards
GOLD Medal (98 points) - Winestate Magazine - "World's Greatest Shiraz/Syrah XVII" (September 2022)
Top in category / Eligible for Wine of the Year Trophy (end 2022) - Winestate Magazine
GOLD Medal (95 points) - 2023 James Halliday Wine Companion
Silver Medal - Victorian Wine Show, December 2021
Tasting Notes
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 Estate grown and sourced from a blend of our shiraz clones from both the east and west facing slopes of our vineyards on the Mount Camel range. 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
Traditional red wine making techniques were used with this wine. The grapes were hand-picked, plunged in open fermenters, basket pressed and aged for 18 months in 25% new French oak hogshead barrels. This wine is a selection of the very best fruit and premium barrels.
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: 15.0%
pH: 3.67
Bottle Packaging: 750 ml punted burgundy
Closure: Stelvin ROTP Screwcap
Cartons: 6 bottles in branded cartons 1 x 6 stand-up.