Shiraz, Spitting Spider, Dowie Doole, McLaren Vale, South Australia

The 2009 growing season was generally quite mild and the region looked to be heading for a perfect vintage until a short, sharp heatwave struck in early February. The subsoil moistures however were low due to below average rainfall in the winter and spring of 2008 and this impacted on yields which were down approximately 40% in our Shiraz crops. The aftermath of the brief heatwave saw ideal vintage conditions return with quite balmy days and cooler nights. The fruit was harvested in excellent condition-colour, flavour, good acidity and fine ripe tannins. The fruit was picked in the cool of night, chilled, crushed, seeded and fermented in rotary fermenters to ensure maximum skin contact, pressed off skins, heat and cold stabilised and coarse filtered prior to bottling.

The fruit Shiraz 97.5% / Merlot 2.5% was sourced from a number of different vineyard sites in South Australia and crushed and fermented with the sole aim of creating a bright, juicy, flavoursome red with soft tannins and a fine finish making it eminently suitable for early drinking or keeping for one - four years.

Sealed with screwcap to retain maximum freshness and ensure freedom from cork taint.

Ideal with T Bone Steak with creamed potatoes, slow roasted roma tomatoes, sautéed green beans and peppercorn jus.

Vintage: 2008/09
Colour: Red
Variety: Shiraz / Syrah
Origin: Australia
Style: Full Bodied Red Wines
When to Drink: Wines to Drink Now
Bottle Size: 75cl
Bin Number: 1534