TASTING NOTE / Our Single Vineyard Shiraz is a pure expression of our unique McLaren Vale site – an ethereal wine of both poise and power. After spending nearly two years in French oak barrels it has developed considerable complexity with a tantalising balance of opulent fruit and savoury notes. Heady aromas of blackberry and chocolate are underpinned by subtle mocha, violet and earthy characters, along with structured, fine-grained tannins. Enjoy now or, if you can bear to wait, for many years to come.
VARIETAL / Shiraz
VINTAGE / 2014
REGION / McLaren Vale
ALC/VOL / 14.5%
WINEMAKER / Scott Rawlinson
WINEMAKING NOTES / Our Single Vineyard wines are made using traditional labour-intensive methods. The 2013 Shiraz was matured for a period of 22 months in fine-grained French oak barrels (40% new) prior to blending and bottling. The wine is neither fined nor filtered so that the integrity and unique flavour profile of the Shiraz may shine through.
OUR VINEYARDS / All fruit for our Single Vineyard range comes from our stunning 64 acre vineyard, located in the southern foothills of the McLaren Vale region. Its unique position, just 2km away from the coast of the Gulf St Vincent, allows the vines to benefit from a maritime climate with cooling afternoon sea breezes coming in from the south west. These breezes prevent our fruit from over-ripening so that we are able to produce elegant wines that balance rich primary fruit flavours with the characteristic earthiness and minerality associated with the region.
VINTAGE OVERVIEW / A heat-wave in early January had us thinging it would be a very early vintage, but it was swiftly followed by welcome rain to freshen the canopies. The rest of January and February was quite mild, slowing ripening a little and allowing for greater flavour development. Harvest started earlier than normal, crops were a little below average given the overall dryness of the season, and quality is considered good.
ACCOLADES / 95 Points – James Halliday’s Wine Companion 2017
“Interesting that Aramis crafts separate cuvees utilising ‘shiraz’ and ‘syrah’. Both are exemplary examples of tannin management and freshness, with no structural pillar overdone be it through extraction, oak or other tweaking in the winery. This, the softer of the two as the name ‘shiraz’ usually infers, is a billowing pillow of dark plum, cherry, anise and mace, ever so gently massaging the cheeks and roof of the mouth. The supports are such that the wine will age well.”