Technical Analysis
A classic Australian wine style championed in the late 1800s. Today it is the great Australian red, to the point that leading international wine writers and commentators, Tyson Stelzer and Matthew Jukes, have labelled Shiraz Cabernet blends as “The blend that defines Australia'.
Tasting note
A medium bodied, full-flavoured classic is the promise behind the very deep red colour. Notes of berry fruits with a hint of cedar, and spice fill the glass. The palate reflects the nose with flavours of cedar, stewed fruit and cassis. Ripe red berry fruits and spice are balanced by well rounded tannins. The wine has a pleasant lingering finish with restrained oak. Great depth of flavour indicative of this exceptional vintage. 60% Shiraz, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Vintage conditions
The 2018 vintage in the Barossa Valley was a good year for Shiraz and Cabernet. The growing season started off well, with winter 2017 rainfall around 10% higher than average. Spring was warm and dry, which helped the vines to establish a good root system. Summer was hot, with some protracted hot weather in January and February, causing the vines to shut down. However, once temperatures eased off and the grapes could fully ripen, both Shiraz and Grenache showed some great potential.
The wines from the 2018 vintage are full-bodied and concentrated, with ripe fruit flavours and good acidity. They are also relatively low in alcohol, which makes them well-suited for aging
Vinification details
The grapes are hand and machine harvested. Each parcel of grapes crushed and fermented in 8 tonne open fermenters. The fermentation is completed in tank before the wine is racked to barrel. The wine is aged in a selection of older (6yr) French and American oak for 16 months before blending and bottling. The final wine blend is 60% Shiraz 40% Cabernet Sauvignon.
AWARDS
Halliday: 91 pts
Technical Analysis
A classic Australian wine style championed in the late 1800s. Today it is the great Australian red, to the point that leading international wine writers and commentators, Tyson Stelzer and Matthew Jukes, have labelled Shiraz Cabernet blends as “The blend that defines Australia'.
Tasting note
A medium bodied, full-flavoured classic is the promise behind the very deep red colour. Notes of berry fruits with a hint of cedar, and spice fill the glass. The palate reflects the nose with flavours of cedar, stewed fruit and cassis. Ripe red berry fruits and spice are balanced by well rounded tannins. The wine has a pleasant lingering finish with restrained oak. Great depth of flavour indicative of this exceptional vintage. 60% Shiraz, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Vintage conditions
The 2017 vintage wrapped-up four to six weeks later than the ‘new normal’ of the past decade, the growing season started after a long wet winter and one of the wettest Septembers on record. 2017 promises to deliver an exciting array of wine styles, from “bright, aromatic wines”, through to “vibrant, intense, well-structured” and “dense, concentrated” wines from the Barossa’s many diverse sites
Vinification details
The grapes are hand and machine harvested. Each parcel of grapes crushed and fermented in 8 tonne open fermenters. The fermentation is completed in tank before the wine is racked to barrel. The wine is aged in a selection of older (6yr) French and American oak for 16 months before blending and bottling. The final wine blend is 60% Shiraz 40% Cabernet Sauvignon.
