2016 Shirvington Wine Notes

2016 Cabernet Sauvignon

Wine Notes:

Cabernet Sauvignon from Block 4 of our Redwind vineyard was harvested at optimal ripeness. Crushed into 5 tonne opens the wine spent a week on skins being plunged, pumped over and racked and returned. It was basket pressed to oak where it underwent malolactic fermentation and maturation for 20 months prior to being blended and bottled.

100% French oak - 30% new and the remainder 2, 4 and 5-year-old hogsheads.

The wine is instantly appealing with perfumed aromas of blackcurrant and cherry fruit and several interesting layers of savoury earthiness underneath. The palate is a combination of fresh red cherry, mulberry and spicy notes followed by hints of cedar oak, leather and lightly dried mint. The tannins are beautifully integrated with the bright, youthful acidity creating a lovely restrained wine.

Accolades:

  • James Halliday 94 points 

2016 The Redwind Cabernet Sauvignon

Wine Notes:

Grapes grown in the beautiful terra rosa soil of Block 4 in our Redwind vineyard were chosen and crushed into an open fermenter. The wine was plunged, pumped over, racked and returned and then basket pressed into predominantly new French oak. The best barrels were chosen and different amounts from each barrel were put together to make the finest blend.

100% French oak - 70% new and the remainder 3 and 5 year old hogsheads.

Intense aromas of black cherry and cassis come together perfectly with smoky oak and hints of bay leaf. The superb richness of the fruit flows onto the palate and is held together by elegantly textured tannins. It is wonderfully concentrated with a satisfying freshness at its core. A complex and layered wine that is sure to impress with age.

Accolades:

  • James Halliday 96 points 

2016 Shiraz

Wine Notes:

Shiraz grapes from Block 6 and Block 9 of our Redwind vineyard were harvested at their best possible ripeness and fermented separately in 5 tonne opens. The wines were plunged, pumped over and racked and returned before being basket pressed. Parcels were kept separate during 20 months of maturation until being blended and bottled.

100% French oak - 45% new and the remainder 2 and 4 year old hogsheads and puncheons.

Attractive layers of blackberry, violets and licorice arise amidst the toasty, spicy oak. A burst of upfront blackberry and plum fruit merge with flavours of roasted coffee, dark chocolate and hints of cola. Slightly chewy tannins provide a lengthy backbone to a wine that finishes with bright acidity and juicy fruit.

Accolades:

  • James Halliday 95 points 

2016 The Redwind Shiraz

Wine Notes:

Grapes from Block 9 of our Redwind vineyard were selected at peak maturity and crushed into an open fermenter. During fermentation the wine was plunged, pumped over and racked and returned before being basket pressed. The wine spent 20 months maturing in specially selected French oak. The best barrels were chosen and different amounts from each barrel were put together to make the finest blend.

100% French - 60% new and 40% 2 and 4 year old puncheons.

The depth and complexity of aromas is striking with ripe dark cherries and smoky cedar oak. Full bodied and decadently rich on the palate amid flavours of ripe blackberries, cocoa and traces of black pepper and tar. Polished and silky smooth tannins are seamlessly integrated while the balanced acidity gives some definition to the opulent fruit. A truly luscious wine that leaves a lasting impression.

Accolades:

  • James Halliday 97 points

Vintage Notes

Winter rainfall again failed and summer brought below average rains. Temperatures up to December were above average and a heatwave in the middle of the month placed enormous strains on irrigation supply and infrastructure. A positive from this long dry and warm period was lower disease pressure. In February, ex tropical cyclone Stan dumped 50 - 60mm throughout the region. Apart from issues with botrytis, there were few problems. The end result was a vintage with tremendous natural acidity and moderate sugar levels in the fruit.