The back label continues with its 'longevity for up to 10 years' statement, despite the fact that the wine is likely to mature (well) for a whole lot longer than that. In any case, the wine is flush with blackberry and dark chocolate, rich earth and mint-like characters. A dab of viognier adds floral lift. Grainy tannin rumbles through the back half. It's a wine with a lot in its favour.
Shiraz 94% Mourvèdre 5% Viognier 1%
Awards and Accolades
95 Points - James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion "The Old Block was planted in the early ?70s and its fruit produces distinct wine. Complex, rich, perfumed wine. Take some dark fruit add pepper, crushed juniper and choc-mint with Mediterranean dried herbs, and cedary oak for good measure, and a profile forms. Grainy tannins, a touch drying but the palate doesn't waiver."
2014 Vintage: 93 Points - Campbell Mattinson, Wine Front "It’s unmistakably varietal yet it’s also bold with fruit. Blackcurrant and blackberry, briar-bush, tobacco and gum leaf. Not too much gum leaf, thankfully, but enough to add lift to the wine. What most characterises this wine though are its tannin; they’re robust, rugged, integrated but substantial. It’s a muscular cabernet. And a very good one."
From the Winery
An ideal growing season produced high-quality fruit within the region. With the hot onset of summer, the fruit quickly ripened and developed full and intense flavours. Premium estate shiraz parcels were harvested at site-specific times across six weeks, allowing for true varietal and regional expression. Fermented in small batches, these parcels were kept separate throughout the winery process to maximise each parcel’s uniqueness. The partial whole bunch ferments were submerged, adding to the richness and complexity as well as quickly developing into a silky and balanced wine.
Winemaker Comments With a deep red and violet hue, the 2015 Estate Shiraz emanates aromas of light spices, white pepper and dark chocolate. The intense aroma is balanced perfectly with a medium-bodied wine that is equally rich in flavour. The ripe cherry and sweet plum flavours complement the persistent dusty tannins.