2015 Spinifex Bete Noir Shiraz, Barossa

A Bête Noir is the bane of one's existence, referring to the multitude of small parcels that go into this blend. The 2015 Bête is a blend from seven Shiraz vineyards located across a variety of Barossa's sub-regions, with the Eastern foothills, Moppa, Moculta, and the Eden Valley all contributing. Vineyard age ranges between 25 and 120 years, with "60 years being a fair average across the blend," according to Pete Schell. 

All fruit was hand harvested. The proportion of whole clusters varied from "everything to nothing" depending on the vineyard, with roughly 35% in the final blended cuvée. Vinified with indigenous yeast fermentation, élevage on lees in new (25%) and seasoned French oak barrels ranging in capacity from 225-litre to 2,500-litre for 20 months prior to bottling without filtration. In short, 2015 gifts a Bête Noir of lovely purity of fruit and no lack of freshness. It's refined, medium-bodied, detailed and aromatic, with a spectrum of both "noir" and red fruits, and an undercurrent of aromatic spice and herb elements. The palate is carried by a strong, yet supple core of fleshy, plummy fruit, bitter chocolatey-like tannins and refreshing, ripe acidity.

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70yo vines, hand-sorted, whole berry/whole bunch wild-fermented, 7-20 days on skins, matured in French oak (20% new) for 16 months. A medium-bodied shiraz with flavours of dark berries and plums framed by a complex web of savoury spices, forest floor and tannins. Exceptional length, beautiful wine.