2003 Shirvington Wine Notes

2003 Cabernet Sauvignon

Wine Notes:

The wine was 100% barrel fermented and aged for around 12 months in 80% new oak and 20% one year old oak, with 10% being French and 90% American.

It is an elegant wine with a nose layered and complex with berry fruits, cedar, chocolate and plum characters. It has an amazing structure that is defined and long, and fruit flavours that are seamless, silky and powerful. It is a fine example of Cabernet Sauvignon from McLaren Vale. It is drinking well now and will cellar for many years.

Accolades:

  • Wine Advocate 94 points

2003 Shiraz

Wine Notes:

The wine was 100% barrel fermented and matured for about 12 months in 80% new American oak and 20% one year old American oak.

This wine will give you all the flavours and nuances you are looking for in a McLaren Vale Shiraz. It has a lifted intense nose with chocolate, licorice, cherries and spice characters. The palate is mouth watering with layers of complexity and length. The fruit flavours are powerful, yet velvety and seamless. It is a delight to drink. It is drinking well now and will cellar for many years.

Accolades:

  • Wine Advocate 96 points

Vintage Notes

Yet another difficult vintage was encountered in 2003. Following slightly below average rainfall during winter 2002, we experienced a very dry spring, compounded by a very hot and dry December. On 20 February, 20–25mm of rain caused vines to take up water far too quickly, resulting in significant berry splitting. Yields plummeted, and most crops were picked 4–5 weeks early. However, some very fine wines have come from this vintage.