2007 Stonewell Shiraz

100% Shiraz from the best fruit of the vintage from Peter Lehmann growers’ Barossa vineyards. Usually no more than a dozen small old plots are selected each year, the oldest planted in 1885. The berries are small and sparse with crops typically less than 1.5 tons/acre. The fruit was fermented and macerated on skins for two weeks with some partial barrel fermentation. After pressing and clarification the wine was matured in 90% French oak and 10% American oak hogsheads for 18 months prior to bottling and then further matured in the cellars prior to release. Winemaker Andrew Wigan. Suitable for vegetarians and vegans. TA 7.0 g/l, pH 3.53, RS 2.7 g/l. Dark, untamed, wild and leathery. Dry finish, a bit demanding – none of the sweetness of the Penfolds bottlings, but hugely sincere. (JR)