This well respected noble red variety originated in the Rhône Valley where it is known as Syrah. In Australia, Shiraz has become the most planted red grape, renowned for its rich, spicy, mulberry-like flavours. The vine is strong growing with a tendency to spread. Grape bunches tend to be long; producing small to medium sized oval berries. A renown Mitchelton specialty.
Oppulently coloured, the 2010 Mitchelton Shiraz has an intense nose punctuated with black cherry, plum and mulberry aromas with an enticing twist of earthy spice and toasty oak. The palate delivers lashings of plum pudding, dusty chocolate, rich berry and savoury black olive flavours. Fine and powdery tannins ensure the wine will improve over the next 6-8 years.
The Shiraz for this wine is predominately sourced from six individual blocks on the Mitchelton estate as well as some additional vineyards in the Goulburn Valley. The soils of these Mitchelton blocks are all heavily influenced by the ancient courses of the Goulburn River. The three main soil types found in the Shiraz blocks are deep alluvial layers of washed sands, duplex soil of sandy loam over chunky ochre-red clays and another duplex soil of sandy loam over burnt orange clay. Vines planted on these blocks range from 12 to 35 years of age and comprise clonal material predominantly of PT23 and BVRC 12. About 50% of the vines are at least 35 years old and are own-rooted while the younger blocks have been planted on phylloxera resistant rootstock. Shiraz is grown on a single wire VSP trellis system and vines are hand spur pruned to between 28 to 32 buds per vine. Vine density ranges from 1800 to 2000 vines per hectare. Shoot and crop thinning are carried out as required through summer, dependant on seasonal vigour variation. Typical yields are six tonne per Hectare (2 to 2.5 tonne per Acre).
Don't Pay: $23
WBW Rating: 92/100
Closure: Stelvin
Region: Goulburn Valley VIC
Winemaker: Ben Haines
Drink now until: 2017
Alc/Vol: 14.5 %
