(by Owner/Winemaker Lindsay Ross)

Seasonal Notes

A continuing drought which had started in 1996 was pushing the boundaries of wine growing in the Central Victorian region. Dry and hot was usual but unusually hot was to influence grape ripening at what is the most critical time, two weeks from harvest. Temperatures were a constant 36 degrees with peaks over 40 degrees and overnight lows in the 20s.

Harvest Notes

The heat wave induced rapid ripening with sugar levels rising from a Rose level ready to go of 12 Be’ and 1 week later tipping 15 Be’ and 1 week later 21 Be’. The rapid ripening was a result of natural sugar accumulation and sudden berry collapse. Decisions on wine making and style were heavily influenced by this weather extreme. The results were a Rose’ at a good ripe level, a Shiraz carefully blended to achieve an acceptable level of ripeness and a Port style.

Winemaking Notes

Picked during and after the heat wave with many influences – high sugar musts required a yeast that could ferment out these wines; ferment temperature without refrigeration; the ability to control activity was with constant plunging. This helped the yeast with the fermentation but the temperature in a ferment at its peak of activity and an ambient temperature of 40C meant that the ferments were fast and furious. Basket pressing and natural settling before putting to oak ensured that the wines were clean and able to mature slowly to a desired oak fruit balance.

These conditions were pretty similar to what the pioneers of our wine industry would have had to deal with and the results show a traditional style of Shiraz even old fashioned which is a result of the type of vintage variation we get in Australia. Aged in French oak for 22 months.

TASTING NOTES

Appearance: Sight-Medium deep red brick with excellent clarity.

Bouquet: Rich and ripe pepper, cedar, plums, prunes and a savory dusty forest floor complexity

Palate: A massive well structured palate with intense prune licorice fruit sweetness and cedar complexity a lingering finish with richness and balanced fine tannins.