1994 Orlando Centenary Hill Shiraz Winery: Orlando Vintage: 1994 Region: Barossa Valley Bottle Size: 750ml Variety: Shiraz Price: $65.00 (out of stock)

VINTAGE CONDITIONS

Mild temperatures and very little Summer rain provided ideal disease-free growing conditions in the Barossa Valley during the 1994 season. A very warm pre-harvest ripening period in January-February gave rise to grapes with high sugar levels, full flavours and deep colours.

The grapes were sourced from a single vineyard that had a long history of producing excellent Shiraz fruit with the richness sought in a premium Barossa style. Regular visits to the vineyard were made by winemakers to ensure the grapes were harvested at the peak of ripeness and flavour development.

The grapes were destemmed and crushed to a wide based static fermenter with a neutral yeast culture, then fermented at moderate temperatures (20°C - 22°C), with peaks of higher temperatures early during the fermentation. The wine received regular pump overs during active fermentation and extended skin contact gave maximum extraction of colour, flavour and tannin. Upon pressing the wine from the skins, the pressings fraction was blended with the free run wine after clarification.

Following completion of malo-lactic fermentation, the clarified wine was matured for 14 months in American oak hogsheads. Each barrel was tasted by the winemakers before transfer and any not up to an exacting standard were culled. The final blend of wine was bottled ex barrel and then spent over two years maturing before release.

HARVEST DATE

March 25, 1994.

ANALYSIS

Alcohol: 14.0% alc/vol   Total Acid: 6.2g/L  pH: 3.55

BOTTLING DATE

February 12, 1996.

COLOUR

Deep vibrant red.

BOUQUET

Full intensity of powerful chocolate, plum and spice aromas with a gentle touch of cedary oak.

PALATE

Strong but balanced chocolate and plum fruit flavours woven through with fine oak and supple grape tannins. Although big in structure, the wine retains softness through to a complex lingering finish.

ASSESSMENT

A fine example of a classic full bodied Barossa Shiraz that, whilst excellent drinking now, will continue to gain complexity with careful cellaring.