2020 Port Phillip Shiraz, Mornington Peninsula

This wine is sourced from a selection of parcels from 0.5 ha of 15-year-old Shiraz vines within the Faultline block. Planted to a density of 4,700 vines per hectare, the soil in this section of the vineyard contains dark brown and yellow chromosols that are particularly well-drained, more so than other parts of the property.

The fruit was fermented in a large-format, open-top stainless-steel tank. The ferment, with a portion of whole bunches, occurred spontaneously with ambient yeasts and lasted 19 days. Following fermentation, the wine was pressed and racked into French oak puncheons (second and third use) and underwent indigenous malolactic fermentation. The maturation period was 15 months. The wine was bottled without fining.

The nose offers an exciting mix of blackcurrant, salted plum, peppery spice and pine nut. There is a soft weight to the juicy palate, together with more blackcurrant flavours and a fine cranberry acidity; this is a supple and elegant Shiraz. Chalk-like tannin and a dusty oak character round out the wine. Shy at present, greater detail will be revealed with time in the cellar.

12.5% alc.