2023 VINTAGE
PRE-VINTAGE
RAINFALL: Winter (consistent) | Spring (above average).
TEMPERATURE: Mild Spring and early Summer | No extreme heat.
UPSHOT: Consistent flowering & fruit set | Healthy canopy.
VINTAGE
RAINFALL: Summer (below average) | Autumn (light).
TEMPERATURE: Days (mild - average) | Nights (cool).
UPSHOT: Delayed ripening conditions | Gradual & extended flavour accumulation | Great natural acidity.
2017 VINTAGE
PRE-VINTAGE
RAINFALL: Very wet Winter | Consistent Spring rainfall.
TEMPERATURE: Cool to warm Spring to early Summer.
UPSHOT: Balanced vines | Slow development | Late flowering and fruit set | Later than expected harvest dates.
VINTAGE
RAINFALL: Rain event in early February | Dry thereafter.
TEMPERATURE: Mild Summer temperatures.
UPSHOT: Delayed harvest | Outstanding flavour development | High natural acidity | Wines of poise and balance.
2016 VINTAGE
PRE-VINTAGE
RAINFALL: Dry winter/early spring | rain event early November.
TEMPERATURE: Consistently warm from late spring to early summer.
UPSHOT: Ideal ripening conditions | No disease pressure | Earlier expected harvest dates.
VINTAGE
RAINFALL: Rain event in late January.
TEMPERATURE: Mild summer temperatures.
UPSHOT: Vine relief | Slow sugar ripening | Increased flavour development | Delayed harvest | Exceptional seed and flavour ripeness balance.
2023 VINEYARD
BLOCKS: D & C
VINEYARD: Red clay loam topsoil at varying depths | Shattered limestone, salt and pepper siltstone, and bluestone subsoils North-south and east west row orientations | Varied micro climates, elevation, and aspect.
2017 VINEYARD
Four individual estate blocks: Red clay loam topsoil at varying depth | Shattered limestone, salt and pepper siltstone, and bluestone subsoils | North-South and East-West row orientations | Varied micro-climates, elevation and aspect.
2016 VINEYARD
Four individual estate blocks: Red clay loam topsoil at varying depth | Shattered limestone, salt and pepper siltstone, and bluestone subsoils | North-South and East-West row orientations | Varied micro-climates, elevation and aspect.
2023 WINEMAKING
51% Shiraz, 49% Cabernet Sauvignon.
FERMENTATION: De-stemmed | 2/3 on skins for 75 days | 18 months oak maturation; 20% new French | Natural malolactic fermentation.
2017 WINEMAKING
57% Shiraz, 43% Cabernet Sauvignon.
FERMENTATION: De-stemmed | 2-3 pump overs per day | On skins for 45 days | Basket pressed.
OAK: French – 35% new – 65% old | Natural malolactic fermentation | 20 months maturation.
2016 WINEMAKING
51% Shiraz, 49% Cabernet Sauvignon
FERMENTATION: De-stemmed | 2-3 pump overs per day | On skins for 45 days | Basket pressed.
OAK: French – 35% new – 65% old | Natural malolactic fermentation | 20 months maturation.
2023 SENSORIAL
PROFILE: Blueberry | Blackberry | Earthy | Cardamom.
TEXTURE: Cocoa powder tannins | Savoury | Soft & full palate.
2017 SENSORIAL
PROFILE: Blueberry | Liquorice | Truffle | Graphite.
TEXTURE: Cocoa powder tannins | Savoury | Soft & full palate.
2016 SENSORIAL
PROFILE: Stewed plum | Blueberry | Violets | Mushroom | Roasted coffee bean.
TEXTURE: Soft and even tannins | Outstanding length.
2023 ACCOLADES
95 POINTS, WBM - Wine Business Monthly
A powerful yet polished classic Aussie blend showcasing blackcurrant, dark cherry, mocha, clove, undergrowth and Aussie bush characters, all set up in a big, powerful framework. Structure is impressive with ribs of grippy tannin lending shape, the fruit and spice draping off that skeleton. Layered, intense, long and total pleasure zone stuff, but with a sense of harmony in tow. Total fine wine realm.
Mike Bennie, WBM magazine
95 POINTS - HALLIDAY WINE COMPANION
"Well named - this is indeed quintessential Barossa Valley flavour and weight, blocking the way for anyone hoping to slip past without being noticed. The very long maceration of up to 65 days for some part of the blend has doubtless played a role, the new French oak another on the bouquet and palate alike."
James Halliday, James Halliday Wine Companion
