Grey Label Shiraz – Wolf Blass - 750ml

A fine McLaren Vale drop with Wolf Blass Grey Label Shiraz

A deeply full bodied flavour Shiraz with elegantly structured configuration. This character distinguishes Wolf Blass from other wines in the area. This unique character is a result of  Barrel fermentation to add complexity to pure, concentrated fruit – giving us vivacious and long balanced wine. With the fancy aroma of ripe berries and hints of pepper, spice and dark chocolate you find a soft and concentrated palate with integrated Oak, structural Tannins and a seamless palate.

Food Matches:

-Lamb

-Burgers

-Game, roast beef

-Aged cheeses

Vintage Conditions: The 2011 vintage was characterised by a cool, wet ripening season which delayed harvest by about three weeks. A warm burst late in the season, however, brought vintage to an early finish. Despite increased disease pressure, McLaren Vale was the standout region for Shiraz in South Australia, with fruit from earlier ripening blocks showing exceptional quality. After careful fruit assessment, only blocks of sound quality with good colour, flavour and tannin development were accepted. These vineyards reached full ripeness and showed the depth of fruit flavour and structure required to make this classic wine.

Viticulture:  Sourced from vineyards ranging in altitudes from about 50m near the coast to 200m where McLaren Vale merges with the Adelaide Hills. The region mostly spans two basins of ancient bedrock layered with sediments laid down by advances and retreats of the sea over the past 45 million years. Soil types vary from sands, yellow clays, and red and black loams through to ironstone. Most are lacking in rich nutrients, resulting in low vine vigour and intense, concentrated flavours. McLaren Vale enjoys a predominantly Mediterranean climate, with cool maritime influences from Gulf St Vincent.

Winemaking: Harvested at optimum maturity and flavour ripeness, fruit from vineyards across McLaren Vale was crushed separately and fermented in small open-top fermenters. A mix of plunging and gentle pumping over was used to optimise flavour, colour and tannin extraction, giving the wine rich concentration and depth of fruit while still keeping tannins plush, hallmarks of the Grey Label style. Some batches were transferred to barrel to complete fermentation, integrating oak characters and contributing to mid-palate texture and complexity. The remaining wines were left on skins until dry to lengthen tannins and enhance palate line and finish.

Maturation: Matured in a combination of new and seasoned French (56%) and American (44%) oak for 18 months to add further layers of complexity. The wines were carefully assessed and blended just prior to bottling.

Peak Drinking: Will develop with age, softening and mellowing to reward a decade or more of careful cellaring.

Colour: Deep crimson with purple hues.

Nose: A complex layered nose of mulberry, boysenberry and blackberry fruits with notes of liquorice, dark chocolate, warm spices and subtle fragrant oak.

Palate: Vibrant berry and fleshy blood-plum fruits meld with spice and dark chocolate. A plush, rich palate of great intensity and concentration is enlivened and lengthened by fine acidity and a velvety tannin structure, resulting in a wine of great power and elegance.

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