2017 ASO 90th Anniversary Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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
Upshot: Complexity | Consistency | Intense flavours | Vibrantcolours

Fermentation: De-stemmed | 2-3 pump overs per day | On skins for 45 days | Basket pressed
Oak: French: 35% new, 65% seasoned | Natural malolactic fermentation | 20 months maturation
Tech. Analysis: Alcohol: 14.5% | pH: 3.58 | Acid: 7.0g/L | RS: <1.0g/L

Profile: Blueberry | Liquorice | Mushroom | Graphite
Texture: Soft and even tannins | Outstanding length | Balanced oak