Technical Analysis
Wines are crafted using fruit from a unique and expressive ‘old vine’ vineyard in the north-eastern region of the Barossa, owned, managed and worked by the Binder family.
Tasting note
Upon inspection, an intense deep red colour is evident in the wine. Aromas of deep rich mocha, toffee and chocolate are combined with defined but not domineering oak character. The palate is extremely rich and velvety, with tight round complex flavours of herbs, cloves and deep pure silky Shiraz fruit. The tannins are veneered, smooth and soft with lingering persistence.
Vintage conditions
The 2016 Barossa grape harvest was a stand-out, with high quality fruit and supply returning to normal after several low-yielding vintages. A warm, dry, Spring, with good conditions for flowering and fruitset. Below average rainfall, combined with a warmer than average Spring and early summer meant the vines got away at a cracking pace. Fruit showed dense colour, and rich, vibrant flavours from early on. Fortuitous rain in January & March, with mild conditions throughout late Summer bode well with grapes, showing rich, ripe tannins. Berries were mostly smaller than average, resulting in more intense flavours. The vintage overall was excellent, with great flavours and colours (in reds) and surprisingly good natural acids.
Vinification details
Harvested from the Riedl Estate in the Barossa sub-region of Vine Vale, from vines planted in the 1890s and now classified as ‘Ancient’. These grapes with intense flavour were fermented as a small batch to maximise the attention we could pay to such rare grapes. Undergoing regular pumping over during fermentation and gentle pressing at the end of the fermentation to maximise the retention of flavours. The wine was then matured in 80% new American and 20% older French oak Hogsheads for 18 months prior to bottling.
