Tasting Notes

Tar & Roses

2010 Shiraz

Grapes

Shiraz

District of Origin of Grapes

86% Heathcote, 14% Strathbogie Ranges

Vinification

The grapes for this wine came from a combination of vineyards. They were all kept separately during their fermentation and maturation lives. The machine harvested volumes were crushed and de-stemmed into vinimatic fermenters and spun twice a day. After ten days fermentation, during which time the temperature and acid levels were monitored constantly, they were individually pressed to tank using an air bag press. Finally the wine was racked off gross lees and put into barrel to finish malolactic fermentation and mature in a combination of new French and older barriques for 12 months.

Oak Maturation

12 months in oak with 24% new French oak component.

Analysis

Alcohol 14.5%
pH 3.48
Acid 6.8g/L
Sugar <1.0g/L

Colour

Deep crimson.

Nose

Intense black cherry aromas coupled with lifted raspberry notes, a compote of summer berries. Supported by hints of vanilla, chocolate and earthy complexity.

Palate

Sweet black cherry fruit flavour with chalky cocoa-like chocolatey tannin. This plus good acid and length gives a well balanced palate.

Food Match

Char grilled lamb cutlets with homemade tomato sauce.

Winemakers Comments

As with previous vintages the wines come from two main vineyards, one off the deep red Cambrian soil while the other comes from tougher more gravelly ground. The first gives us a wine rich, chocolatey and earthy while the other has more high fragrant berry notes with good acid and sweet fruit. The wine that results is our take on Heathcote shiraz.