Another individual vineyard Hunter Valley shiraz, this one hailing from a vineyard located at Sweetwater Ridge in the northern (Belford) end of the Lower Hunter Valley. Planted in 1998, the red/brown loamy soils over limestone are what give this wine its distinctive floral lift and character. The relatively vigourous vines are usually crop thinned to around 4 tonnes per Hectare each year which ensures even ripening and produces wonderfully concentrated fruit.

Harvested on the 7th and 8th of February, the fruit was fully ripe and in excellent condition. The fermentation was allowed to get quite warm at the start and then cooled towards the finish to ensure we achieved the right tannin structure and maximum colour extraction. The inclusion of 10% whole bunches into the fermentation has added a subliminal stalky complexity. Matured in French (95%) and American (5%) oak barriques for 15 months, with the small amount of (premium quality) American oak used to accentuate the complex sweet floral lift.

Drink 2016 – 2030.