• French oak
• Black pepper
• Dark Chocolate
• Blackberries

Black pepper and blackberries reduced, with a subtle background of molasses; black bean sauce, light soy, allspice and balsamic high notes - both from deft oak barrel use and from the fruit’s natural power. Make no mistake, this is a dominantly aromatic wine, speaking of the grapes and the earth and the vintage. Dark, dense and black-blood red with great intensity and purity of colour. At this stage in its life all youthful and bright. Soft, plush and luxuriant in texture, the wine’s fruit flavours are blackberries and dark chocolates, with the odd liqueured chocolate thrown in. These textural elements are a bit like driving a Rolls Royce whilst sitting in a velvet beanbag. French oak provides structural support, buttressing the mineral and chalk tannins innate in the best Barossa Shiraz. This wine’s neat and orderly balance qualifies it for a long cellar life; but the easy plushness and generosity of the wine - supported by clean acid and tannins - make it too tempting now.

Shiraz can be a simple sip or a symphony of the senses, a moment of pleasure or an eternity of contemplation. Only the poet can know, so stop thinking and surrender.

Heirloom Vineyards was conceived in vintage 2000, when a young winemaking student caught the eye of a silly old wine judge. A love story ensued inspired by two vows: To preserve the best of tradition, the old world of wine and our unique old vineyards and to champion the best clones of each variety planted in the most appropriate sites embracing the principals of organic and biodynamic farming. Seven long vintages of trial and error passed before Heirloom Vineyards could make a wine that was fine enough to pass on to future generations. That is this wine.

This Heirloom Vineyards Shiraz was produced from our best Barossa Vineyard whose clones and viticulture embody the very best in cutting edge but old school viticulture and winemaking. Hand tended vines, sorted bunch by bunch, naturally open fermented, basket-pressed and stored in well seasoned first use French oak barriques from bespoke coopers.

Food Pairing: With the well-ordered power of the fruit be bold and serve some slow-cooked Chinese pork spareribs or knuckles. A little bit of spice or chilli would not be out of place… Sticky rice, of course.