SINGLE VINEYARD GREENOCK SHIRAZ, STRONG BUT SENSUAL

I cut my winemaking teeth in the heavy red soils of the north west of the Barossa, where Greenock is the jewel of the crown in my opinion. My winery is here, the pub does a good burger and by chance there’s some pretty good shiraz vineyards knocking about.

A few vintages ago I came across a vineyard just on the north of the Greenock township that hides behind some big gum trees. It runs down a small hill facing east, with lean soils, cooler afternoons, tiny yields, small berries - how asleep had I been to drive past this vineyard for several years? But i’m definitely alert now!

I like shiraz that is big on fruit intensity but is more supple and svelte on the palate, powerful yet velvety, structured but sensual - I could go on but I think i’ve conveyed my point.

So, this is a rare single site treat from my part of the world and a true connection to my beginnings in making wine.

TECHNICAL STUFF

VINEYARD:

• Greenock, Barossa Valley.

• East facing slope on the outskirts of the township

• Heavy red clays restricting yield and berry size, undervine mulching for water conservation.

WINEMAKING:

• 100% destemmed into an open fermenter,

• Wild yeast

• Combination of délestage and plunging over two to three weeks, on skins for 8 weeks.

• Aged on lees in new and seasoned French barriques for eighteen months

• Bottled without fining or filtration

738 bottles produced

Bottled 19th March, 2024