Vintage
Average winter rains were followed by a very cool and dry late January/ February, resulting in very healthy vines with big canopies and intensely varietal fruit which held their acidity extraordinarily well during the March hot spell.
Winemaking
The 2008 Shiraz Viognier was traditionally made in open fermenters, finishing fermentation in a mixture of old and new French and American oak. Both Shiraz and Viognier were picked at the same time with the Shiraz at approximately 14.5 degrees Baumé and the Viognier at about 14 degrees Baumé. Shiraz and Viognier were then co-fermented, leaving the final blend at about 95% Shiraz and 5% Viognier.
Tasting Notes
This fourth vintage of our Shiraz Viognier shows trademark McLaren Vale characters of ripe dark fruit. There is a hint of cedar which tips a nod to the small amount of new French oak we use, a whiff of steak tartare and finally some fruit blossom lingers, gently reminding us of the small amount of Viognier that the Shiraz was fermented with. The wine has a full, even and fresh palate and a medium body.
Technical Details
| Picking Date | Shiraz 3rd, 5th, 6th, 10th, 12th, 12th March 2008 Viognier 5th March 200 |
|---|---|
| pH Level | 3.49 |
| Total Acidity | 6.10 g/L |
| Alc/Vol | 14.5% |
| Bottling Date | 18th June 2009 |