Produced from vines dating back as far as 1890 but harvested over a long period to achieve differing flavour and sugar levels to add complexity. Made traditionally in open fermenters, basket-pressed, and aged in a mix of French and American barriques and hogsheads for one year, all of which have been previously used, and which are not intended to impart excessive oak flavour. The adddition of the word 'Footbolt' on the front label has given rise to a world record back label, best read with a microscope and a spellcheck, the latter to tell you that the 'absinent' Joe Osborn was really abstinent. James Halliday
‘The Footbolt’ Shiraz, like all of d’Arenberg’s traditional red wines, gains considerable complexity with age. The aromas slowly incorporate developed cedar, coffee and developed dark chocolate smells with leather, tobacco and earthy aromas while maintaining fragrant, spicy, fruit characters. On the tongue, a wonderfully textured palate is maintained. Gentle, grainy, black olive flavours balance the sweeter coffee, chocolate and very long spicy, fruit characters. Malty, earthy and distinctly savoury characters on the rich middle palate dominate against soft tannin and piquant acidity. D'Arenberg
