2017 Philip Shiraz

Region

Hunter Valley, NSW

Winemaker

Adrian Sparks

Colour

Deep purple

Aroma

Fresh red and black berries coupled with spice and hints of blue fruits

Growing Conditions

An excellent year in the Hunter Valley. Dry throughout the growing season, the vineyards burst early but a cool spring slowed the growth periods, meaning ripening was around 2-3 weeks later than usual. December saw warm weather with average rainfall allowing for healthy and clean canopies giving excellent ripening conditions.   January and February saw significantly lower than average rainfall conditions which meant ripening was even and let the team have the ability to pick fruit at its optimum ripeness.

Palate

An intense palate of fresh fruits with a beautifully fine tannin structure. Classically medium bodied, exhibiting true Hunter regionality with its perfectly balanced acidity and impeccable length

Vinification/Maturation

Crushed into a combination of open top and static fermenters. Following a gentle 3 day pre-fermentation cold soak the wines were inoculated with cultured yeast. Colour & tannin were extracted from the skins by a combination of plunging and pumping-over for a period of up to 10 days. After pressing, the wines were transferred to a combination of stainless steel, to give freshness, and oak barrels, (10% new) to give richness & complexity, for a maturation period of 12 months. Once optimum maturation was obtained the parcels were blended and prepared for bottling

Alcohol/Vol

13.5%

Peak Drinking

Built to drink as a young wine but will reward cellaring for up to 15 years.

93+ Points - Gary Walsh

Wine Front

"It’s just so nicely balanced and good to drink, and while it will age well and surely, it’s a delight right now. Fresh blackberry and raspberry, a little liquorice, rose and pepper, and a coverlet of cedar/umami oak. It’s a classic medium-bodied style with a little Hunter earthiness, balanced acidity, and gentle powdery tannin. It’s good from front to back. Really like this. It’s how you should make Hunter Shiraz."