Vintage: 2021
Type: Red Wine
Variety: Shiraz
Vegan Friendly
Organic Wine
Volume: 750ml
Alcohol Volume: 14%
PH: 3.49
Standard Drinks: 8.6
Acidity: 6.5 g/L
Closure: ScrewCap
Vintage Notes
Deep soaking winter rains that trickled into spring provided a spectacular start to the growing season. The moist soils minimised the threat of frosts, followed with a mild spring at bud break made for a promising start to an incredible vintage. Despite its dryness, the growing season was relatively mild. Warm days, cool nights and little to no disease pressure gave rise to fruit rich in flavour and naturally high acid, all with relatively modest sugar levels. The wines produced from 2021 will drink well young and many, if allowed, will cellar well to remind us of the great vintage. One of the best vintages in the recent decade.
Winemaking
The fruit was picked on the 21st of February. Most of it was de-stemmed and crushed into concrete fermenters, on top of the remaining 25%, kept as whole bunches. After 48 hours of maceration the must was inoculated and allowed to peak early at warmer temperatures, before being chilled and foot stomped on day 4. Another week fermenting to dryness, before the wine was bag pressed to tank to complete MLF.
By the end of March, the wine was through secondary fermentation and racked to a combination of new French oak foudres and seasoned barrels. Èlevage in large format allowed this Shiraz to retain all its primary characters, while developing complexity and softening. 15 months later the wine was racked and bottled, to then age for a further few months before its release.
Tasting Notes
Deep crimson colour.
This Shiraz paints a beautiful picture of the Stone Well vineyard. Right from the nose, concentration is the key character of this wine. Dark fruit and toasted, spicy tones of black pepper and tobacco give it a brooding quality the draws one to the glass. The oak is elegant and integrated and defines yet another layer of aromatics.
On the palate the richness and fruit drive of the Stone Well clay soils is evident. The wine is generous, ripe and round. Dark plum and blackberry notes are complemented by an integrated 'bunchy' savouriness. The structure is big, with a full body, good acidity and big tannins that stretch into a lingering finish. This Shiraz drinks fabulously now, but it will continue to develop for decades in the cellar.
