2017 The Beast Shiraz
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
2018 The Beast Shiraz
Rainfall: Dry summer and autumn
Temperature: Hot January and February | Mild autumn
Upshot: Delayed and extended harvest | Vibrant colours and powerful fruit | Wines of power and elegance
2019 The Beast Shiraz
Rainfall: No rainfall during the vintage period
Temperature: Warm conditions throughout
Upshot: Fast ripening conditions | Condensed vintage | Intense flavours and tannin | Wines of power and structure
D Block: Shallow red clay loam overlying shattered limestone | North-south oriented rows | Elevated eastern aspect | Long even sunlight
Upshot: Rich ripe fruit | Supple tannins | Intense aromatic and flavour profile
2017 The Beast Shiraz
Fermentation: De-stemmed | Left on skins for 8-10 days | Slow ferment at 18-22°C | Open pump-overs and hand plunging | Basket pressed
Oak: French: 60% new, 40% seasoned | Natural malolactic fermentation | 22 months maturation
Tech. Analysis: Alcohol: 15.0% | pH: 3.55 | Acid: 7.0g/L | RS: <1.0g/L
2018 The Beast Shiraz
Fermentation: De-stemmed | Left on skins for 8-12 days | Slow ferment at 18-22°C | Open pump-overs and hand plunging | Basket pressed
Oak: French – 60% new, 40% 2nd use | Natural malolactic fermentation | 22 months maturation
Tech. Analysis: Alcohol – 15.0% | pH – 3.57 | Acid – 7.0g/L | RS – <1.0g/L
2019 The Beast Shiraz
Fermentation: De-stemmed | Left on skins for 8-12 days | Open pump-overs and hand plunging | Basket pressed
Oak: French – 60% new, 40% 2nd use | Natural malolactic fermentation | 22 months maturation
Tech Analysis: Alcohol – 15.3% | pH – 3.50 | Acid – 7.0g/L | RS – <1.0g/L
2017 The Beast Shiraz
Profile: Forest Berries | Dark Chocolate | Black Olive
Texture: Prominent tannins | Exceptional palate length | Powerful | Robust
2018 The Beast Shiraz
Profile: Forest berries | Spiced plum | Dark chocolate | Liquorice | Cardamom
Texture: Fine grained tannins | Exceptional palate length | Powerful | Robust | Great oak integration
2019 The Beast Shiraz
Profile: Black fruit | Spiced plum | Dark chocolate | Cigar box
Texture: Grippy tannins | Exceptional palate length | Powerful | Great oak integration
2017 The Beast Shiraz
"Follows the vinification pattern of Clos Otto, but there the similarity ends. A texture and structure of licorice, graphite, black cherry and a powerful thrust of tannins are in sufficient balance to warrant the time (a minimum of 5 years, better still 25) the wine needs to calm down." – 95 points. James Halliday, James Halliday Wine Companion.
2018 The Beast Shiraz
“It's hard to determine which I prefer between the 2019 and 2018 The Beast Shiraz. This 2018 is decidedly more pure, more supple and more red-fruited, with a clarity on the mid-palate that is both startling and comforting. This 2018 is red, pure and almost feline in its slink (the acidity is slightly more pronounced here), while the 2019 is brooding, earthy, dense and mysterious. Your call. Both excellent.” – 95 points. Erin Larkin, The Wine Advocate.
2019 The Beast Shiraz
“The Beast in 2019 lives up to its name and reputation – a monolithic Barossan that delivers in power, complexity and structure. Opaque in the glass, the aromas are all dark – toasted spices, coal fire and roasted meats well matched to fruit pastille, liquorice allsorts and a big dose of high quality oak. It’s big in every sense but never steps over the line. The wine then moves on to a bold and muscular palate with fleshy dark fruits well matched to quite significant tannins that draws out a long and dense finish.”
95 points. Angus Hughson, Wine Pilot.
