2005 BAROSSA VALLEY SHIRAZ

This wine had big boots to fill after the 2004 which was both complex and elegant while still being strongly Shiraz fruit driven. In 2005 we aimed for more complexity. In addition to the fruit from low yielding Marananga vines we used in 2004, we sourced fruit from 3 other areas of the Barossa. Pete Schell vinified the 4 batches separately in a mix of new French and old 2 year old American hogsheads.

The wine is a deep mulberry colour with the brightness and clarity we associate with good fruit and good winemaking.

The nose has opulent berry characters with overtones of vanilla, cedar, nutmeg, juniper and quince.

The palette is all classic Barossa Shiraz with elegance and a mouth full of layered berries and spices. This wine has the depth of the 2004 wine with even more complexity and length. The hints of quince, juniper, and nutmeg evident on the nose are there in the palette also with just the slightest hint of white pepper. The oak and fine grained tannins are in balance and underscore the wine’s fruit and spice characteristics. The wine finishes with clean acidity which, with its depth and richness, indicates it should be good for 10+ years of cellaring.