Mount Horrocks 'Alexander Vineyard' Watervale Shiraz 2017
Grapes for the Mount Horrocks Shiraz are sourced from the low-yielding vines of the estate owned Alexander vineyard. Strikingly beautiful and isolated, it is located at the extreme north-eastern corner of the Watervale sub-region of the Clare Valley. The vineyard is managed using sustainable natural farming and organic practices. 20% of the grapes were kept as whole bunches and crushed by foot. This portion is pressed, lees settled and run straight into French burgundy barrels for three months on lees. The wine is then taken off lees, barrels washed and returned for further maturation of around 18 months. The other 80% was crushed, destemmed and cold soaked on skins, before fermentation in purpose-built vessels to allow gentle plunging of the cap to extract maximum colour, flavour and tannins. Malolactic conversion took place in stainless steel tanks. The wine then spent 18 months in French oak barriques, of which 40% were new, and the remainder one to two years old. A deep crimson colour with a youthful edge. On the nose, rich aromas of spiced plum with a lick of cedar-like oak. The palate has generous flavours of plush red fruits, dark chocolate and forest with a lingering spice and attractive peppery tannins. It is a stylish new world Shiraz that stands out for its mid-weight texture and juicy acidity.
