2019 Domenica Shiraz, Beechworth

Domenica sits 460m above sea level atop the granite ridge sweeping away to the south west of Beechworth. Shiraz made with an eye firmly on the style of the Northern Rhone wines. Most often the south slopes provide the base, producing a powerful, savoury, cool climate wine of complexity and longevity. Domenica is soft, still powerful, with a deep core of fruit and the structure to live for many years.

Fermented separately in small batches, it present wonderful blending options. Whole bunch inclusion is dependent upon the season, up to around 25% of the batch. The remainder is lightly crushed, destemmed, then taken to an open topped concrete tank, where it usually sits for a few days prior to the commencement of fermentation. This takes about two weeks, with hand plunging the extraction technique employed. Taste and seasonal conditions will determine whether any post fermentation maceration is undertaken, then the wine is basket pressed, blended, and taken to barrel for maturation for around 21 months. The finest French barriques are used, around 25% new.