2022 Estate Shiraz

Technical Details

Harvest Date 23rd March, 2022 | Alcohol 14.4% | Standard Drinks 8.5

Wine Maker

Ben Dahlenburg
Eldorado Rd.

Maturation

Viognier 3% was added prior to fermentation to add complexity and provide some delicate floral notes whilst deepening the colour. Grapes were slowly fermented to dry over 3 weeks and softly pressed off skins in a basket press, wine was then put through a malolactic fermentation. Matured in 30% new, 70% 2yr-5yr old French oak for 20 months prior to blending and bottling. the wine is a soft, medium-bodied Shiraz with plush tannins, length and generosity of flavours.

Background

The Shiraz was the second variety planted at Mt Pilot Estate in 1995. It was planted on two root stocks Paulsen and Ruggeri. The rootstock, whilst selected for Phyloxera control, saved this part of the vineyard during drought of 2005 – 2009. The Shiraz clone is believed to be from an 1880 clone that is known as a perennial high quality grape with low yields. The Shiraz has been able to survive for 5 years without irrigation in some of the hottest summers on record. The vines in 2023 cropped at ~3000kg /ha and are spur pruned, with the west side of the canopy left to sprawl and give protection from the afternoon sun and the east side lifted with wires to let the morning sun in.

Vintage Description

The 2022 growing season started off wet and it continued to rain throughout the early parts of the season making vineyard management paramount. The vines had moist soils for once and enjoyed a reprieve from the hot and dry 2020 vintage. The vintage was cool also with no days registered over 40 degree’slowing the ripening down considerably and allowing the vines to express the flavours of the site. No supplementary irrigation was required for the vintage due to the natural rainfall. The ripening period was characterized by a slow even ripening with the late harvest and no extreme heat. The vines remained healthy and disease free.