A muscular brooding expression of Barossa Shiraz
SINGLE VINEYARD SEPPELTSFIELD SHIRAZ, BAROSSA VALLEY
It’s flavour packed with kirsch, dark chocolate and liquorice. This wine has been matured in 75% new American oak barriques and 25% new American oak barriques for 20 months to further enhance its inherent structure. Built for ageing not for speed, have another look at this sleeper in 10 to 15 years time.
The Barossa is an amazing place with a diverse history from which a great community has grown living o the Fat of the Land. Famed for its Shiraz vineyards, some dating back to the 19th century, the wines from this small, but proud region are as unique and divergent as its history and community. One can make such varied expressions of Shiraz, due to the different meso-climates of each subregion, the elevation range, and the myriad of soil types that are to be found throughout the Barossa. The Fat of the Land series seeks to showcase the sub regions of the Barossa, and the contrasting styles of Shiraz that can be made here.
Soil
VINEYARD: North of Seppeltsfield in the west of the Barossa – 285m above sea level on clay over limestone.
Vintage
VINTAGE 2019: A very dry winter and spring, with frost events in September and November disrupting bud burst and flowering, resulting in the lightest crops in the past decade. January and February were warm and dry, and in conjunction with the low yields, ripening was rapid. Quick decision-making and early picking resulted in reds with great intensity and structure thanks also to the light crops and early tannin maturity. 2019 was a challenging vintage, but one of the most rewarding, with our alternative varieties showing particularly well. The overall quality is a tribute to our growers and their perseverance in a difficult growing season.
Cellaring
Built for ageing not for speed, have another look at this sleeper in 10 to 15 years time.
VINIFICATION:
The fruit is crushed/destemmed and fermented at temperatures ranging from 20- 25°C for 12 days on skins. The ferment is managed by a variety of techniques, including ‘aerative pump overs’ and ‘drain and returns’ which assist in extracting colour, flavour and tannin from the grapes. At the end of fermentation, it is drained/pressed, and transferred to 50% new American oak barriques, and the balance to 3 and 4 year old French oak hogsheads to undergo MLF. Post MLF, sulphur dioxide is added, and the wines mature sur lie for 20 months. This wine was bottled unfiltered in December 2017
Tasting Notes
Colour
Dark kirsch
Aroma
Lifted dark cherry aromas with notes of licorice and dark chocolate.
Palate
Flavour packed with kirsch, prunes, dark chocolate and liquorice. Rich and muscular, like Arnold Schwarzenegger.
