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Vineyard
Planted in 1997 on a gentle north-east slope approximately 5km south of the township of Bannockburn, our Shiraz source vineyard is part of the Moorabool Valley sub-region of the Geelong region GI. Planted in red sandy loam over ironstone gravel which in turn sits above a mix of red clay and limestone subsoils, the vines grow with moderate vigour. Farmed using organic principles, the 2021/2022 growing season is the 15th year with biodynamic inputs and weed control via cultivation and zero herbicides.
Growing Season
The 2021/2022 growing season was another notable La Niña with cool conditions and consistent rainfall. Cold conditions at budburst and flowering led to small and concentrated crops. The cool weather through January and February made for a late veraison, with a mild March and April giving the fruit an extended ripening window to build complexity before time for harvest.
Winemaking
Hand-harvested fruit was picked in late April and early May, almost the same as the highly acclaimed 2021 vintage. The Shiraz is 100% destemmed as whole berries, to open fermenters, with a tiny percentage of Viognier included. Indigenous ferment began 3 days post-harvest, and the ferment reached a peak of 28°C. Pressed when dry and then aged in a selection of older large French oak puncheons and only 5% in new oak barriques for fourteen months’ maturation, before careful racking and bottling.
Tasting Note
A pure and elegant nose of black and blueberries, complemented by classic cool climate spice, and subtle savoury elements. The smooth palate is medium-weight and the supple ripe fruit flavours are balanced with fine tannin. A long and harmonious finish is kept fresh by natural acidity, resulting in a wine that can be enjoyed young or cellared with confidence.
Independent Review
"If you like Geelong shiraz, you’ll love this. This is one for those who enjoy pepper and mescal characters in their reds. It’s well fruited with cherry and plum flavours, it’s autumnal underneath and sweet over the top, it’s nutty and it’s cohesive. Tannin is fine, and length is very good. As a whole we are safely in excellent-to-outstanding territory here. At every turn, it’s beautiful."
96 Points, Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front
(Published 04 February 2024)
"From the Spence and Ceres vineyards in Moorabool. A splash of viognier with 14 days on skins and 14 months in old 500L puncheons. Saturated purple. Full of dark fruits, black pepper and spices such as cardamom and clove. A gentle meatiness, too, which carries onto the medium-bodied, ripe, quite structured and delicious palate. It would pair perfectly with some rib eye now, but it's got the legs to improve for quite some time."
95 Points, Philip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion
(Published 07 August 2024)
Gold Medal - Geelong Wine Show (November 2023)
Vegan Friendly
