Nose
An elegant Margaret River Shiraz with luscious raspberry and black cherry, white pepper notes with a touch of Chinese five spice.
Palate
Juicy red fruits, ripe plum and raspberry with plush long fine tannins, medium to full body, a touch of vanillin, good length and intensity.
Growing Conditions
Margaret River vineyards produced lower than expected grape yields across all varieties in vintage 2015. The cause can be traced back to adverse weather conditions that affected primordial bud formation, followed by a-typical cool and unsettled conditions in November and December 2014 which impacted flowering and fruit set. Winter was warmer than usual. Disease pressure was minimal, although birds such as Silver Eyes were a problem due to the delayed blossoming of marri flowers so the vineyard was netted. Once again the quality was exceptional.
Harvest
The Shiraz grapes were picked on March 20th.
Winemaking
The grapes were picked in the cool of the morning, destemmed and placed in two open fermenters. Inoculated with a Rhone yeast and the cap plunged up to four times a day, by hand. Delestage took place over two days to enhance extraction and build structure. After 8 days primary ferment finished and the wine was kept on extended skins for a further fourteen days. Post maceration the must was drained and basket pressed off to tank where it underwent a malolactic fermentation which helps soften the acid. The wine was then racked to a mix of 50% new and 50% one and two year old French barriques, and left to mature for 12 months. Blended and bottled in July 2016.
Appearance
Deep crimson with purple hues.
