Fruit - Fruit is sourced from an award winning premium vineyard in central McLaren Vale. The vineyard terrior ranges from sandy red loam over yellow clay, to light brown loam over limestone. Due to drought conditions during the ripening period, the 2008 vintage was lower cropping, resulting in a wine of intense fruit concentration with long lingering tannins. The grapes were picked at 14.6 Baume and the cropping level was approximately 4 tonne to the acre.
Wine Making - The grapes were harvested early in the morning on the 5th of March 2008, at the optimal fruit ripeness, with the fruit arriving at the crusher within the hour, then de-stemmed and crushed, allowing small portions of full berries through to induce initial wild yeast fermentation. The crushed fruit and whole berries were immediately chilled and pumped to open fermenters. Yeast was added and the fruit cold soaked for 2 days extracting colour and flavour while remaining soft. After 8 days the fruit was pressed and pumped into the 100% Radoux American oak hogheads, with 20% placed in new Radoux American Missouri barrels to add lift without dominating the intense varietal character. Maturation was completed after 10 months in oak, with the fruit and oak well integrated. Post bottling, the wine spent 5 months under Stelvin, before release.
Tasting Notes - Limestone Block McLaren Vale Shiraz 2006. Very ripe chocolate-tinged fruit and nuances of vanilla oak makes a seductive
wine for some, especially the McLaren Vale Wine Show
'07 judges who gave it the trophy for Best Red Under $20. Cork
15.6% alc Rating 89 Drink 2012 $19.95 Date Tasted June 08
Limestone Block McLaren Vale Shiraz 2007
A vibrant young wine, with red and blackberry fruit showing distinct
fruitcake spice aromas; the palate is fresh, lively and full of
jucy fruit; should be enjoyed in its youth. Screwcap.
15.6% Rating 90 Drink 2014 $19.99 Date tasted Dec 2008
Taken from 'James Halliday Wine Comparison 2009' 4½ Stars
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