2019 Basket Pressed Shiraz

2019 was hot and dry. Our old vines withstood the dry conditions thanks to their deep roots, their ability to manage limited resources, and irrigation. Excellent leaf canopy and shading through the fruit ripening part of the season.

This small-batch of stunning Shiraz is made using a very light touch and traditional (slow, labour intensive) techniques. Grapes were hand-picked, and whole bunches laid in the bottom of the fermenter and then topped with very gently crushed fruit to cold soak for 3 days. Once through fermentation, the wine was pressed off by hand in a basket press for the lightest and most gentle extraction. This method helps to preserve the delicate flavours and aromas of the grapes and minimises phenolics (bitter / rough characters), resulting in a soft, complex and highly prized flavour profile. 4T of fruit was received from Block 4, coming in at 14.7Bé. Fruit (including 10% whole bunch) was sent to an open top, small fermenter. Cold soaked prior to fermentation and pressed-off into barrels 5/3/19 (15% new American), remainder second and third use to complete fermentation and mature. Bottled at 14.9% alc/vol on 25/8/20 after 17 months in oak.

2039+