Business Shiraz 19

This was the first shiraz we’d made in 4 years with the implicit intention of selling as a straight shiraz. And we were keen to get away from the bigger richer style of most McLaren Vale shiraz’, and attempt to make something more along the lines of Northern Rhone Syrah’s. The ferment was managed quite gently, using light pump-overs and/or hand-plunges, and toward the end of ferment we were able to get our hands on the lees of some white frontignac. With an overall addition of 4% of the white aromatic lees to our shiraz ferment, we were able to increase the velvety mouthfeel of the wine as well as providing a beautiful floral lift to the aromatics of the wine. It did the job as this wine ended up more medium bodied, with an elegance and femininity we seem to find (and promote) in all our Rhone varietals. It was aged in about 33% 2nd use French oak, and otherwise neutral French and American oak, and bottled after 14 months of maturation.

Light and bright crimson colour, with a obvious purple hue running through it.

Beautifully lifted nose, very pretty and floral. Some violets, rose petal, and juniper. Lots of strawberry and even some tropical fruits such as guava. And an intriguing hint of raspberry lemonade, or I guess if you were to break it down, vanilla, red fruits and citrus.

A more medium-bodied wine, and dare I say “syrah” in style. A bit of black pepper, satsuma plum, and ripe blackerry flavours. Lovely mid-palate weight, but with lingering flavours on the gentle finish . Much of the fruit spectrum is in the purple realm, and a lot of the floral characters follow through from the nose to the palate. Ready to go now, but will also age nicely for the next 8-12 years.