Vintage

2021 began with an unusually cool weather pattern as a result of a La Niña’ influence. Luckily a break of classic warm days and cool nights in early January led to exceptional flavour development with natural acidity retention resulting in a strong suite of whites. More moderate weather for the remainder of the growing season has led to reds of elegance and lovely floral lift.

Vineyard

Our Dairy Hill Shiraz block is eastern facing, well-drained sandy loam soils located in the heart of Hunter Valley wine country NSW. The crop yields are relatively low, producing excellent concentration of fruit flavour.

Winemaking

Handpicked and sorted fruit was partially destemmed to a stainless-steel fermenter. Fermented at 23-25 degrees Celsius with ambient yeasts before pressing after 9 days to 100% new French oak Puncheons. left on full yeast lees for 15 months before being blended. No Finings or Filtration.

Tasting Notes

A classic medium-bodied Hunter Shiraz, this red is intensely perfumed and flavoured. This wine reveals a lovely intense red fruit palate complemented by savoury and spice characters in classic Hunter Valley style, typical of the Dairy Hill block. Reward yourself with careful cellaring up to ten years.

Accolades

"Appealing full, clear crimson-purple hue. This has all the makings of a very good shiraz, and no hint of fault: the varietal expression of plum and blackberry, ripe but not overripe – the alcohol of 12.6% is the birthmark of Hunter Valley shiraz at its peak – tannins firm but fine, acidity creates freshness, oak in balanced support."

  -  96 points, James Halliday | 2023 Wine Companion