9 Gold Medals

This pinnacle release Shiraz is crafted from the very finest fruit selection and is entirely estate grown and bottled on the Taylor family estate in the Clare Valley, South Australia.

Dry/Sweet
dry
semi sweet
sweet
wine body
light
medium
full
Oak
none
some
plenty
grape varieties

Shiraz

blend or single variety

Single Variety

region

Clare Valley

colour

At release, the wine is a striking, dark cherry colour which sits at the mid-point between black and ruby.

nose

Generous and immediately offers sweet, spice characters of fine oak lifting from the glass. These are underscored by fresh, red plum and cherry fruit characters that sit confidently at the heart of the wine.

palate

The palate shows considerable structure. There is much to enjoy now, with vanilla and liquorice root notes in abundance through the mid-palate and layering beautifully onto the back-palate and finish, whilst blueberry and ripe dark plums define the overall heart of the wine. The tannins have a velvety softness to them that is neither bitter nor over-firm, reminiscent of sweet plum skins and reinforcing the sense that this wine shall develop exceptionally well in the cellar.

vintage conditions

In the Clare Valley, the growing season in the lead up to vintage 2015 saw slightly higher than average amounts of rainfall initially and then very little fell, making it the driest ever August recorded at the estate. The first evidence of budburst appeared in the last week of August which is relatively normal. Rainfall for spring was well below average and not only was the spring weather extremely dry, it was also warm and windy. These conditions had a detrimental impact on flowering with resultant bunch numbers down on average. December and January were relatively mild, with rain falling during the second week of January. The moisture was a welcome relief after such a dry spring and the varieties on the estate responding well for both yield and quality.

cellaring notes

Immediately approachable but will cellar well in ideal conditions for up to 20 years from vintage date.

alcohol volume

14.50%

acid

6.95

pH

3.40

residual sugar

1.50

pack size

Single: 750ml bottle, Case: 6 x 750ml bottle

previous vintages

2014,2013,2012