Description
Vineyard:
Single Vineyard : Stansborough vineyard. The site is around 260-280m above sea level with an east west aspect. Soil consists of a shallow red clay top soil over friable red clay with bands of quartz, ironstone and shale. The vineyard was planted in 2000 and is own rooted, clones are heritage and 1654. The vines are spur pruned to 32-36 buds per vine. The mid rows are cultivated to winter active fescue.
Winemaking:
All three varieties were made and matured in oak separately for 11 months before being pumped out and blended. The Shiraz was matured in 300 lt barrels, 20% new French with the Montepulciano and Aglianico matured in older French oak. Blend percentages were based on aromatic complexity, palate texture and length .
Tasting Notes:
Purple red colour. Aromas of Cherry, rose, liquorice & strawberry. Intriguing palate that show the depth and body of the Shiraz, cherry flavours from the Montepulciano with Aglianico giving rose hints and fine long tannin and welcome natural acidity.
Cellaring:
Drink now or cellar carefully and enjoy over the next 8 years.
Analysis:
Alcohol 13.2%, pH 3.54, TA 5.92g/L, VA 0.65g/L, F/TSO2 31/71, R/S 2.0g/l
Current Vintage Accolades
2019 Barossa Wine Show – Gold Medal
James Halliday – 95 Points
Wine Showcase Magazine – 94 Points
Campbell Mattison – 94 Points
Previous Vintage Accolades
2016 Vintage
Campbell Mattinson – 95 Points
Ray Jordan – 94 Points
Wine Showcase Magazine – 93 Points
Patrick Eckel – 93 Points
Australian & NZ Boutique Wine Show – Bronze Medal
“A blend of shiraz, montepulciano and aglianico. Thoroughly engaging wine showing a distinctive regional character from this Williamstown region within the Barossa Valley. Savoury black cherry and licorice with deep rich chocolate. The palate has an effortlessly delicacy that completes an outstanding wine for enjoying in the medium term while those primary characters are well to the fore. Cellar 6 years.” – Ray Jordan 94 Points
“A unique blend of Shiraz, Montepulciano and Aglianico that was sourced from the Stansborough Vineyard, Williamstown, Barossa. An inky dark red with purple hues, the nose is dark fruited, but laced with pepper, liquorice and crushed herbs. The palate is brightly fruited with a juicy acidity and fruit that is very much in the cherry spectrum, there is unsweetened liquorice that combines with savoury, gravelly tannins. The length is long and has presence of plum and cherry fruit. A wine that will grow and evolve over time. Optimal Drinking : 2017 – 2030.” – Patrick Eckel 93 Points
“Single vineyard. Made by Purple Hands. Blend of shiraz, montepulciano and aglianico. All French oak, most of it old. Bowled over by balance. It’s bold with flavour but everything here feels so well placed. It tastes of licorice, redcurrant, black cherries and peppery herbs, and while there’s a velvety/creaminess to the texture oak is not a major flavour contributor. Tannin spreads and runs through a good deal of the wine, almost always a good sign. Length, tick. Fabulous. Drink : 2019 – 2029+.” – Campbell Mattinson 95 Points
“Serata – 51/39/10 blend of Shiraz, Montepulciano and Aglianico. Depth of fruit is striking, but more so is the wine’s balance. This feels fussed over in the best of ways. Red and black cherries, earth, asphalt, licorice and a mere caress of creamy oak. Tannin casts a web from the mid-palate on. It’s high class, high quality. Drink by 2023” – James Halliday 2018 96 Points
Reviews
“Shiraz, aglianico and montepulciano, made and matured separately for 17 months prior to blending. All French oak, mostly older. The juicy plumminess of shiraz is evident, but the savoury red cherry character likely coming from its partners. More pertinent is that the blend has worked well, providing a seamless mouthfeel with length and depth of flavour” – Halliday Wine Companion
