2019 Ironheart Shiraz
Ironheart is the flagship Shiraz from our single vineyard estate in Blewitt Springs at the northern edge of McLaren Vale. The vineyard’s northern aspect, higher elevation and sandy ironstone soils produce Shiraz with immense concentration and finesse.
VINTAGE SUMMARY
The 2019 growing season was very dry, which resulted in moderately low yields. We had a relatively warm lead up to the ripening period, which produced a very condensed and fast harvest. Our varieties faired well in these conditions, giving rise to concentration, freshness of flavour and marked natural acidity.
WINEMAKING
Sourced exclusively from Block 15 (1.8 Ha), which lies amongst a north facing gravelly ironstone outcrop where the North Maslin Sand geology comes to the surface. Hand-picked (29th March), 25% whole bunches and the remainder has been destemmed, mechanical berry sorted and crushed. Open fermenters and on skins for 16 days. A gentle maceration principle of wetting the cap and only draining and returning when reductive. Wild yeast ferment. No pressings are used in this wine. Kept on lees in 35% new French oak puncheons, 65% older French oak Puncheons for 9 months. We selected individual barrels which were blended and further matured for 7 months in a 2-year-old French 25hL foudre. Bottled September 2020
97 points - Erin Larkin, The Wine Advocate
96 points - James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com
96 points - Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front
Tasting Notes
Technical
