Shiraz was Shingleback's first choice, the inaugural vintage of 1998 was released to highly encouraging critical acclaim. Shingleback can now lay claim to a succession of superlative vintages which have collected an industry wishlist of coveted trophies and gold. Generously flavoured, intense with complexity, enhanced by an extravagant oak treatment, vinified from the finest Shiraz grown to the Davey Family Vineyard, home of the 2006 Jimmy Watson. Crafted from vine to bottle without excessive manipulation, gently handled right through to extended ageing.
Shingleback's proximity to the St. Vincent Gulf (named after the patron saint of winemakers) enhances fruit quality through warmer springs, fine autumns, and cooler summers. Shiraz, predominantly clones 1654, BVRC12 and BVRC30, grown to red and black soils over limestone on the Davey Family Vineyard, are carefully selected on the basis of flavour profiles, health and varietal characters. Shingleback is hand crafted in small open and static fermenters to maximise the potential of each small parcel of fruit. Maturation for an average of fourteen months in fine grained, American and French oak hogsheads, softens, enhances and integrates the fruit and structural components. Alcohol 14.5%
TASTING NOTESDark red/ purple colour. Luscious aromas of ripe strawberry and blackberry are highlighted by nuances of milk chocolate, violet and wet slate minerality. Brooding mulberry over base notes of mocha oak fill the glass. The palate overflows with a compote of dark berries and earthy minerality. Rich dark cherry and blackberry fruit is tightly defined by silky tannins and fresh acidity. Full bodied with a lingering finish, a shot of integrated, fine grained French and American espresso oak enhances the texture and length.