2019 ‘The Cream’ Barossa Shiraz

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A rich, textured, seamless wine that combines power and elegance.

The Cream is blended at the optimum time from the best barrels from First Drop’s most prized vineyards to create the ultimate expression of Barossa Shiraz from the vintage. A rich, textured, seamless wine that combines power and elegance. It’s seductive, with a pedigree that will see it mature for a further 10 to 15 years. Indulge now or reward yourself later.

Single Vineyard Location:

50% Seppeltsfield

30% Ebenezer

20% Greenock

Soil

VINEYARD: Ebenezer in the north of the Barossa - 296m above sea level on deep red clay – 30% of blend. North east of Greenock in the north west of the Barossa -330m above sea level on clay with ironstone - 20% of blend. North of Seppeltseld in the west of the Barossa – 285m above sea level on clay over limestone – 50% of blend.
 

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

It’s seductive, with a pedigree that will see it mature for a further 10 to 15 years. So indulge now or reward yourself later.

VINIFICATION: 

The fruit is crushed/destemed and fermented at temperatures ranging from 20- 25°C for 14 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 40% new French oak hogsheads and 60% old French oak hogsheads to undergo MLF. Post MLF, sulphur dioxide is added, and the wines mature sur lie for 20 months. 

Tasting Notes

Colour

Black

Aroma

Lifted black fruit aromas with hints of smoke, tar, leather, orals and Indian spices.

Palate

Rich kirsch and black fruits, dark chocolate and licorice, balanced with textured, lingeringly seamless tannins.