The Vineyard: This wine is 100% Shiraz from the Dalwhinnie Vineyard in the Moonambel region of Western Victoria. The Shiraz clone was sourced from the original Best's 1860's vineyard cultivated by the Thompson family of Great Western, Victoria. The Southwest Rocks vineyard was established in 1995 and named after the geographic location on the property where explosives were used to shatter the reef enabling planting and trellising.
Winemaking: The grapes were crushed and destemmed into two small 2 tonne fermenters for a 10 day fermentation followed by basket pressing then 18 months French oak maturation.
Colour: Very dark blacklred
Bouquet: Fully ripe bramble fruit with licorice-cocoa and earthy spice notes. The nose is complex and concentrated.
Palate: A big explosive mouthful of fruit, oak and acid. The spicy notes of black pepper and herbs support very concentrated plummy fruit in perfect balance with fresh French oak. The finish is long and lingering with good acid structure.
Winemaker’s comments: I am very excited about this new single vineyard wine. It reminds me of the 1997 'Eagle Series'. The aroma and flavour profiles are immense with rustic earthy tannins and a richness that will marry well with a hearty winter cassoulet. It is also fascinating to compare the flavour profile with the Moonambel Shiraz.
Enjoy this wonderful wine.
Cellaring potential 8 years +
David Jones
Winemaker
88 cases produced (6 bottles per case) Limit of 1 case per client
