XVIII - SHIRAZ 2015

Our XVIII Premium Shiraz is the epitome of Shiraz. A new and rare true fine wine experience that is uplifting through to the next day. It is the choice of sophisticated wine connoisseurs in a best of class red (certified bio-dynamic, organic, pesticide-free, 100% chemical free tested, vegan and no synthetic preservatives).
While our entire vineyard is grown bio-dynamically and with minimal intervention, only the best rows of the best blocks of Shiraz are selected to create this iconic wine. Then once we get this special fruit into the winery, each step of the winemaking is carefully done by Winemaker Frank Bonic and his cellar.
The grapes are harvested only in the very cool autumn mornings, then gently destalked and conveyed to the fermenting vessel. The freshly crushed grapes are held for 3-4 days of cold soaking. During this period, the natural indigenous micro-flora from the vineyard slowly begin to grow and initiate fermentation naturally with just the indigenous micro flora that lives on the skins of the grapes in our bio-dynamic pesticide free, fungicide free vineyard.
Unlike white wines, Shiraz wine is fermented with the skins and seeds mixed in with the juice. The floating skins are plunged down into the fermenting juice many times during each day to ensure that all of the colour, flavour and tannin are gently and completely extracted into the liquid from the skins.
The grape sugars are slowly converted into alcohol and a complete malo-lactic fermentation occurs every year. This fermentation occurs with specially selected Oaks prepared on special ways to add complexity and extra layers of flavours.
For our XVIII Shiraz, when the fermentation is complete, rather than immediately pressing the skins and removing the fresh wine, we leave the newly fermented juice (young wine) gently resting with the skins and seeds for 3 months of ‘extended maceration’ to allow more colour and flavour to be extracted from the skins and for those tannins to polymerise and convert to a softer and more stable form. This extended maceration process is carefully managed to ensure the maximum colour, flavour and richness is achieved while simultaneously softening and stabilising the colour of the final wine. This complex process is but one of the special techniques used to create the rich creamy texture and luscious palate that is the hallmark of our great XVIII Shiraz.

Tasting Summary:
The first thing one notices is the intense red colour with slight garnet edges in the glass with ‘legs’ of wine and vapour coating the walls of the glass above the liquid. Dark plum, wild black cherry jam, and decadent mulberry are countered with seductive notes of vanilla oak, cloves, and cinnamon spice.
Rich full bodied with loads of ripe dense blueberry, blackberry, and rhubarb with hints of and savoury spice. Rich ripe velvety tannins make this Shiraz what we call “sumptuously chewable” and provide the lead-in to its amazing lingering finish.