95% Shiraz & 5% Viognier.
The vineyard is a small 2.5-acre patch planted in the mid 1980's on an easterly aspect. The vines are typically low cropping and produce just 1.2 tonnes of grapes per acre. The addition of a small amount of Viognier to fermenting grapes is a technique used for many years by the producers in the Northern Rhone appellation 'Cote Rotie', this adds an opulent, aromatic quality to the nose and softens the palate.
Dark red in colour with spicy black pepper aromas that dominate the nose, underneath there is a complex array of violet, blackberry jam, liquorice and fine oak. The palate is silky and rich, with a wonderful poise. There are layers of concentrated, fine-grained tannins with loads of powerful fruit, these flavours cascade through the palate and provide a wonderful length of flavour with a persistent finish.
Ready to Drink? Yes and no. Like Grange and other fine Australian wines this will mature. However decant to enjoy now.
Food and Wine Matches: Drink on release, but will develop over the following 10 -15 years.
Wine Reviews: IWC Silver Award, Gold Medal in the International Wine & Spirit Competition 2006, Silver Medal in the International Wine Challenge 2007.
