Owner and winemaker Andrew Clarke’s vineyard located in Tonimbuk in the Western Gippsland in Victoria has too cool a climate to produce quality Shiraz. Therefore, Andrew sources Shiraz fruit from three warmer climate regions in Victoria. The Yarra Valley Shiraz hails from the warmer northern part of the Yarra Valley. The Longford Shiraz comes from a vineyard in the warmer East Gippsland region and the Heathcote Shiraz comes from the a vineyard in the Heathcote region in Central Victoria. Andrew has access to this fruit because he acts as the viticultural consultant for each of these outstanding small vineyards.

Planted on some of the oldest soils known. Ancient river bed and limestone reveals a soil of gravel and rounded coarse pebbles with clumps and layers of limestone, the remnants of ancient sea beds. The majority of the vineyard was planted following excavation of the site for road making materials. There is no top soil as such, just gravel and pebbles. These soils trap heat well which helps keep roots warm which in turn helps with maturity. Grapes are grown in a vertical fashion and crops are kept to less than 2 tons to the acre. The grapes were harvested on April 20, 2004 at a crop level of 1.9 tons per acre. The grapes are crushed into small open pots and a mix of wild and cultured ferments took place. The wine was presoaked for some days prior to fermentation taking place. After the cap fell the wine remained on skins for another four days. It was then pressed and left to settle in tank for eight hours and then racked into barrel. The wine went through malolactic fermentation in barrel and was left on lees for 12 months and then racked into tank and bottled unfiltered.

The color is deep crimson bordering on black. The bouquet is explosive with sweet jammy blackberries, black olives, exotic spice and briary smoky notes all vying for attention. The palate shows fabulous concentration and richness with lashings of sweet succulent blackberries, cassis, licorice, pepper and spice and well integrated oak. The velvety tannins enhance the long and fulfilling finish. A very appealing full-bodies wine that unfolds in the glass tempting you to take yet another sip. It is drinking beautifully in its youth but will benefit from a few years in the cellar. Serve with a big meaty dish.

Alcohol: 14.5%

pH: 3.58

TA: 6.5

R/Sugar: 0.5g/l.