2020 Shiraz
;)
;)
A journey through our vineyard and its Shiraz personalities
Shiraz in Margaret River is a hidden gem worth seeking out. It displays the varying growing seasons very clearly, speaks loudly of the place it comes from and the ocean that surrounds it. It affords the winemaking team a plethora of choices in terms of whole berry and bunch inclusion, co-fermentation possibilities with viognier and maceration regimes. It rewards with a depth and savouriness unlike any other region in Australia.
Nose
Pure fruits with attractive notes of dark plums, black olives and sweet spice.
Palate
A very smooth, plush, harmonious Shiraz with notes of crunchy plums, cassis, white pepper, black tea and a touch of cacao. The fine tannins become velvet, the structure elevates fragrance and tension of the wine. A vibrant finish completes the journey of our diverse Shiraz personalities.
Blend
94% Shiraz, 6% Grenache.
Cellaring
10 years.
Food Pairing Notes
Mushroom risotto, venison.
The Vineyard
Beginning in January, harvest was one of the earliest starts on record due to the lower yields and warm, dry weather. Low disease pressure, timely flowering of native Marri trees to keep the birds at bay and little to no rain meant that growers could literally “take their pick” as required. The 2020 vintage in Margaret River was a real treat for viticulturists.
Winemaking
The fruit is destemmed from 70 to 100% (up to 30% whole cluster inclusion) and lightly crushed to a combination of open and closed fermenters. The ferments proceed with wild yeasts, some with viognier cofermenting to add aromatic lift and deepen colours. Post fermentation macerations are long- up to 80
After destemming, individual blocks were lightly crushed to closed top fermenters and open wooden Vats fermented with selected yeasts. Some saignee on specific blocks were made to enhance fruits concentration. Cap management operations were gentle and maceration periods reached up to 23 days. At the desired balance of fruit perfume and soft tannins, each batch was basket pressed, with the pressing wines kept separated. A few lots were assembled early to form the major portion of the blend, allowing the wines and pressings to integrate harmoniously through ageing. The wines were matured in barrels for 15 months, with limited racking and 22% new French oak was used to complement the fruit. The final blend remained unfined and was filtered before being Estate bottled.
Analysis
13.9% alcohol, 6.75 g/l total acidity, 3.65 pH.
Suitable for vegans
Decanter World Wine Awards
Slightly smoky and spicy with rich chocolate nose. The palate is soft and smoothly textured, with flavours of spices, blueberries and sweet black fruit.
