After low rainfall during the 1997 winter, excellent spring rains provided moisture reserve for the early growing season in dryland Shiraz vineyards in the Barossa Valley. A long mild dry spell during flowering ensure a good fruit set. The mild weather conditions continued with warmer, dry weather during veraison and ripening in January through to March. Good yields of grapes were produced with intense berry, flavours and high colours.

Classified as a classic quality vintage.

THE VINEYARDS

Selections were made "in vineyard" during ripening for grapes with depth of flavour and colour from mature Barossa vineyards with a heritage of grape growing in the Gomersal, Lyndoch, Rowland Flat, Tanunda and the Eden Valley ranges subregions. Soil types are principally red brown earths and Barossa ranges schist.

HARVEST DATES

Mid March to early April, 1998.

BAUMÉ AT HARVEST

12.8º - 13.5º Baumé

WINEMAKING

Soon after harvesting – some hand picked, some by machine – the grapes were destemmed and crushed to wide based static fermenters and inoculated with an active yeast culture. The ferments received regular pumpovers to wet the cap to give maximum extraction of colour, flavour and grape tannin.

Ferment temperatures ranged from 17ºC to 22ºC with peaks of higher temperatures early in the fermentation. Some parcels completed fermentation in the barrel. After draining and pressing the wine from the skins, the pressings were blended back with the drainings after "rough" clarification through a centrifuge. Some parcels underwent malolactic fermentation in barrels, the remainder in tanks before partial clarification and transfer to new and one-year old, American oak hogsheads made by French and Australian Cooperages.

Following 15 to 18 months oak maturation in temperature controlled cellars, selections were made to produce a full flavoured robust style of Barossa Shiraz.

ANALYSIS

Alcohol: 13.2% alc/vol Total Acid: 6.8 g/L  pH: 3.55

BOTTLING DATE

March 7, 2000.

COLOUR

Full depth ruby red with hints of purple.

BOUQUET

Spice, lifted plum and dark berry fruits, integrated with cedary American oak.

PALATE

Rich berry fruit, with chocolate and sweet spice flavours. Concentrated, but smooth and supple with gentle oak nuances rounded with soft ripe tannins.