Elate Cabernet Shiraz 2008

In making Elate Bill wanted to produce a wine in the style of an Australian Grange. From our first experimental vintage in 2008 our Elate Grange Cuvée has been a fine homage to one of the world's most prestigious iconic wines. Primarily Shiraz driven with a small percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon, Elate is a beautifully seductive, modern wine that combines some of the best qualities of great wines of Bordeaux and the Rhone.

Max Schubert, the grandfather of Australia's Grange told us "We must not be afraid to put into effect the strength of our own convictions, continue to use our imagination in winemaking, and be prepared to experiment in order to gain something extra, different and unique in the world of wine."

Well grandfather, we put our convictions and imagination into Elate by following the original recipe of blending the best of Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon in this Australian twist on a Rhône/Bordeaux Cuvée

We chose the name Elate which means to make someone ecstatically happy. One try of the wine and we think you will know why we chose the name. Bill describes the sensation of drinking this wine as similar to sitting in a big, old overstuffed sofa - comfortable and luxurious!

GOLD MEDAL WINNER at the 2011 SF Chronicle Wine Competition.

A blend of Shiraz, a little Grenache and then a little of our Seduce Cabernet Sauvignon has resulted in a nose of cranberry and dark cherry combined with the deep purple color inviting you to taste. In the mouth, a flowing of soft, then elegant flavors with moderate acidity and a soft clove finish.
Elate is a brand new wine for us with fruit from the Vesenaz vineyard. Located high on the Dry Creek Valley bench land this vineyard is planted on sandy soil filled with shale and serpentine rock which will not hold water. Irrigation immediately drains out in the same way as the hillside vineyards of the Rhône Valley, so here we planted the classic Rhône grape varieties Syrah/Shiraz, Grenache and Mourvèdre. We picked and fermented the Shiraz and a little Grenache and then made the decision to blend in about 10% of our Seduce Cabernet Sauvignon.
French Oak for 22 months about 40% new
395 cases produced
Color Red
Vintage 2008
Vintage 26°
Style Red Rhône
Appellation Sonoma County
Varietal Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon
Date Bottled 7th Sep 2010
Drinkable 2010-2017
Alcohol 14.50%
Bottle Size 750ml