2020 Heritage Shiraz
"An exceptional terroir wine, with a strong regional identity and the structure and fruit intensity to improve with extended cellaring."
Representing our finest selection of Shiraz from our estate vineyards expressing clearly varietal and vintage, and only made in the best of years, this wine is the pinnacle for us of this noble grape in a cool elegant corner of Australia. Bearing the dark spice and forest floor characters which are hallmarks of Margaret River, wrapped in a fine textured umami envelope of goodness, this wine takes us on a wonderful journey, of which we are merely taking our first steps.
Nose
Richly perfumed with confiture of red plums, cherry coulis and purple flowers, unmistakeably backed by white pepper and oregano.
Palate
Concentrated and vibrant on the palate with a rich diversity of black and red fruit intertwined with nutmeg, cinnamon and sweet spices. The mouthfeel is a lovely balance between powdery, chalky tannins and a playful acidity, finishing with great length and lingering notes of cedar and dried herbs.
Blend
100% shiraz
Cellaring
Up to 15 years
Food Pairing Notes
Seared kangaroo medallions with black pepper sauce and truffle mash. Wild mushroom pilaf. Manchego croquettes.
The Vineyard
Shiraz is the only red variety planted at all of our estate vineyard sites, ripening at different times and giving us a myriad of complexity and blending options. Each of these parcels are individually managed to ensure a true expression of site for fruit flavour and character. From soil management and pruning techniques, to canopy manipulation, each decision is tailored to each section. The 2020 vintage in Margaret River was a real treat for viticulturists, with the weather considered close to perfect. A long warm summer provided ideal ripening conditions, with an extended mild end to the season allowing us plenty of time to harvest. March brought an unexpected rain event, but this provided a refresh for our reds before harvest.
Winemaking
After destemming and hand sorting, the selected vineyard batches were lightly crushed to closed top fermenters and individually fermented with selected yeasts. Daily tasting guided extraction and maceration, to reach concentration and balance of structure. Maceration periods reached up to 26 days and at the desired balance of fruit perfume and tannin complexity, each batch was basket pressed, with the pressings kept separate. The finest lots were assembled early to form the major portion of the blend, allowing the wine and pressings to integrate harmoniously through ageing. The wine was matured in barrel for 18 months, with regular racking. 45% new French oak was used to complement the fruit and tannin profile. The final blend, showcasing our three different sites, remained unfined and was filtered before being Estate bottled.
Analysis
13.7% alcohol 5.95 g/l total acidity 3.62 pH Suitable for vegans
