2019 Basket Pressed Shiraz

I'm delighted to introduce the successor to our highly acclaimed, incredibly hard to make and temperamental Amarone inspired Basket Dried Shiraz. The two wines are equally fine, both super premium Shirazes and unique expressions of our terroir, but stylistically they are at opposite ends of the scale. The Basket Pressed Shiraz is all elegance and restraint, the Basket Dried a blockbuster with huge punchy fruit.

VINTAGE  2019 was hot and dry. Our old vines withstood the dry conditions thanks to their deep roots, their ability to manage limited resources, and irrigation. Excellent leaf canopy and shading through the fruit ripening part of the season. 

WINEMAKING This small-batch of stunning Shiraz is made using a very light touch and traditional (slow, labour intensive) techniques. Grapes were hand-picked, and whole bunches laid in the bottom of the fermenter and then topped with very gently crushed fruit to cold soak for 3 days. Once through fermentation, the wine was pressed off by hand in a basket press for the lightest and most gentle extraction. This method helps to preserve the delicate flavours and aromas of the grapes and minimises phenolics (bitter / rough characters), resulting in a soft, complex and highly prized flavour profile. 

4T of fruit was received from Block 4, coming in at 14.7Bé. Fruit (including 10% whole bunch) was sent to an open top, small fermenter. Cold soaked prior to fermentation and pressed-off into barrels 5/3/19 (15% new American), remainder second and third use to complete fermentation and mature. Bottled at 14.9% alc/vol on 25/8/20 after 17 months in oak.

IN GLASS Deep ruby, soft raspberry edge.

IN NOSE Rich black and purple fruit, milk chocolate sweetness and a touch of cypress and black pepper.

IN MOUTH Vibrant black fruit, very ripe black cherry and mulberry. Balanced acidity and fruit sweetness. Silky, fine-grained tannins. Soft black pepper and chai spice with a dark chocolate led finish. Elegant mouthfeel, medium-bodied. Incredibly smooth, lingering finish. 

DRINK WITH A versatile wine, would pair well with lean meats and cheeses.

CELLAR  TO 2039+

ACCLAIM

95/100 "An excellent Mudgee Shiraz that is destined for even greater things given more time in the bottle. It's long and balanced and a damn fine drink. It whisks you away - you're captivated by its depth and drive yet its savoury beauty captivates and keeps your interest levels heightened. Meaty and dense early highlighted by pan juices, burnt ends and beef stock, swirl the glass and it continues to further express itself. Dark chocolate and Dutch cocoa, sauteed mushrooms, a flash of cola and sarsparilla, even a bit of boot polish - the layers keep unfurling. Give me more! It softens to reveal dark chocolate dipped dark cherries and a suggestion of licorice. The length, the depth, the pleasure... Bravo!" QWINE 2022

92/100 "A heady nose of ripe plum and mulberry fruit that has milk chocolate and Christmas cake like spice. The palate is ripe and textured with tannins taking on bitter dark chocolate that is a good counterpoint to the glossy and dense red and blackberry fruits. The finish is drying and savoury, with the wine carrying its alcohol well and will age." THE WINE REVIEWER 2022

90/100 "A pretty nose of redcurrant, raspberry and rosehip make way for a smooth and viscous core of vanilla and red berries. Pleasing bitter oak tannins counter the richness of fruit. This needs time for the oak to enmesh itself with the fruit, and it will age very well. A touch of warmth on the finish suggests its alcohol weighs in on the higher side." THE REAL REVIEW 2022