The 2004 vintage provided us with outstanding Shiraz. The hot and dry conditions over the ripening period concentrated fruit flavours, lowered yields, and ripened the berries to an ideal level. The fruit was harvested by hand, and then crushed into traditional open top fermenters for a three day cold-soaking period prior to fermentation. During the fermentation the must was plunged by hand twice a day to extract colour, flavour and tannins. The wine was then pressed and transferred to a mixture of new and one year old French Oak barriques for 18 months maturation.

"Elegant, regional style; sweet plum and blackberry fruit with just a hint of earth; fine tannins."

92 POINTS

James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion 2008 Edition

"A typical older-style Hunter shiraz whose meaty, leathery and earthy expression of dark berry and plum-like shiraz is tightly crafted into a fine, supple and silky wine with very restrained vanilla oak and a delightful lingering sour edge to the fruit. It’s very perfumed and spicy, long and supple, with plenty of rustic character."

92 POINTS

Jeremy Oliver, The Australian Wine Annual 2007