DRINKING WINDOW: 15 to 20 years
PRE-VINTAGE
RAINFALL: Average Winter rainfall | Above average Spring rainfall.
TEMPERATURE: Warm Spring to early Summer | No extreme heat events.
UPSHOT: Consistent flowering and fruit set | Healthy leaf/canopies | Controlled development.
VINTAGE
RAINFALL: Dry Summer and Autumn.
TEMPERATURE: Below average daytime temperatures | Cool nights.
UPSHOT: Consistent ripening conditions | Extended even flavour development | High natural acid | Wines of power and elegance.
SEPPELTSFIELD VINEYARD
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.
HARVEST: 18 February - 05 March, 2021
FERMENTATION: De-stemmed & Basket-pressed | Left on skins for 8-12 days | Open pump-overs and hand plunging.
OAK: French oak (60% new, 40% seasoned) | Natural malolactic fermentation | 22 months maturation.
TECH ANALYSIS: Alc 15.0% | pH 3.50 | Acid 6.5g/L | RS <1.0g/L
PROFILE: Blueberry and blackcurrant notes intertwine with hints of dark chocolate. On the palate, it is smooth and textured, with lively dark fruit flavours leading into a subtle mineral edge.
95 POINTS - HALLIDAY WINE COMPANION 2024
“Shiraz, predominantly from a single sun-drenched block on the Hentley Farm estate in Seppeltsfield. Deep magenta crimson with notes of plush macerated plum, blueberry and boysenberry fruits cut deep with spice, vanilla bean, dark chocolate, tobacco, roasting meats and some pretty punchy cedar oak tones at this stage of its evolution. Opulent and pure with stunning fruit weight and flow, tight, chalky tannin and a wall of spiced dark and black fruit on the lingering finish.” - DAVE BROOKES
