The 2013 Shiraz shows a deep vibrant cerise colour with some youthful purple hues. An aromatic display of savoury oak, ripe red berries and dark cherries with hints of cinnamon. The palate is coated with lush bursts of mulberries and spice, joined by soft, youthful tannins and some balanced acidity which completes the structure. These youthful characters provide great promise for up to 10 years.
Awards and Accolades
94 Points - James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion "12 months maturation in small oak. Deep crimson-purple, it has an utterly seductive display of luscious black fruits, dark chocolate, licorice and ripe tannins all singing from the same line on the same page."
93 Points - Ray Jordan, Cellar Talk "Woodstock is one of my favourite McLaren Vale producers and this excellent shiraz is a classic example of what it does so well. I love the ripe, juicy characters of its wines when the years are kind. This was a good year and the result is an excellent wine of smooth presentation and lively vibrancy through the palate. Lovely oak and tannin support to the deep fleshy opulence of the fruit, though it's all delivered with a degree of finesse. It's great drinking now but will happily handle five to eight years in the cellar which makes is excellent value."
91 Points - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, eRobertParker.com "Medium to deep garnet/purple, the 2013 Shiraz opens to an enticing red and black cherry nose with violets Szechuan pepper and clove hints plus a waft of lavender. Full-bodied, rich and concentrated, the palate has great freshness and intensity with plenty of finesse, very fine, satiny tannins and a long finish."
From the Winery
The hero variety of the region, Woodstock Shiraz is sourced from Woodstock Estate and neighbouring vineyards in Blewitt Springs, McLaren Vale. These vines are all on sandy soils which contribute the floral aromatics to Woodstock Shiraz. The ratio between bunches and leaves are closely monitored to ensure vineyard balance, so that each vine can deliver full, ripe flavours to each bunch.
In 2013 we had a long, dry ripening season which led to a short harvest with great fruit concentration. The warm weather presented some challenges but also some advantages, like low disease levels resulting in clean, bright fruit flavours. After fermentation on skins for a minimum of 5 days, this Shiraz was barrel aged for up to 14 months in carefully selected French and American oak barrels. Fifteen precent is matured in new oak barrels while the rest mature in 2 to 3 year old oak for complexity without oak domination.
