JC Block Shiraz 2019

The aromas seem to be everywhere all at once, fleeting moments of red cherry, then iodine, a moment of dried Australian native flowers, is that vanilla bavois? Now to red gum honey and mahogany: captivating, intense and delightful.

Powerful tannins supported by ferruginous flavours typical of Upper Tintara: cocoa, bitumen, terracotta, the Aussie bush, dark red fruits. Elemental. Australian flavours but distinctly European texture with a drive and precision that surprises and delights.

A single block Shiraz from 47 year-old vines grown facing south west at an altitude of 120 m.

Dark grey slaty siltstone flecked with ironstone.

Hand harvested on the 24th of February, a week before the 2018 vintage.

Crushed with 17% left as whole bunches, gently pressed after spontaneous fermentation and 14 days on skins. Settled in tank for 6 days. Bottled, unfined and unfiltered, on the 28th of July 2020,

Fifteen months in French oak puncheon and one barique, all second and third use.