Heritage Shiraz 2014


A very elegant Shiraz from the Williamson Estate in Dry Creek Valley. The vineyard consists of Australian Shiraz and French Hermitage clones sustainably farmed to produce low yields of the finest quality fruit.


NOSE: Rich dark color in the glass with a spectacularly nice density on the nose combining candy-apple and Sarsaparilla-like aromas with pleasant, slightly earthy or pipe tobacco notes. PALATE: In the mouth a soft, luxuriant wine with medium-full savory mouth-feel, perhaps a hint of leather or coffee and a deliciousness that says, "don't bother me with food". FINISH: The ending is again luscious and memorable. For a pure Shiraz it shows a nice balance between fruit tannin and oak tannin and will obviously work with a range of foods but is easily worthy of a simple night sipping by the fire.
Dry Creek Valley had reasonable winter rainfalls and cool conditions throughout spring. We generally experienced a later budburst than usual so meticulous vineyard management was critical. Soil moisture levels resulted in healthy shoot growth and early canopy development. Healthy growth continued and by midsummer we were concerned that sugars were ahead of flavor development, but a brief cool spell nicely stalled ripening and harvest was completed on the last day in September. Following harvest and sorting the grapes undergo a cold soak period of five days in which no yeast is added and the must is kept at a cool temperature, under 50 °F allowing for color and flavor extraction without the complication of the higher temperatures achieved during fermentation. Shiraz needs a warm fermentation at temperatures between 80–90 °F accompanies by gentle punch-down on the cap down initially three times daily then reducing as the sugar changes. Following fermentation extended maceration involves keeping the fermented wine in contact with its skins for an additional period of about 35 days to yield a softer tannin structure.
Like most reds, Syrah benefits from barrel aging and we use French Oak:- 35% new; 35% one-use; 30% neutral.
Not fined or filtered to retain the flavor integrity we bottled only 550 cases in late July 2016.
Color Red
Vintage 2014
Harvest Date 30th Sep 2014
Style Red Rhone
Appellation Dry Creek Valley
Varietal Shiraz
Date Bottled 25th Jul 2016
Drinkable 2017-2027
Alcohol 14.30%
Bottle Size 750ml