Craiglee Shiraz

“Any site anywhere in the world that can produce a wine that lasts for 100 years is worth being replanted,” said John Brown of Milawa fame after a cache of 1872 Craiglee Sunbury Shiraz was found buried at the winery in the 1950s. The 10 hectare vineyard – located on alluvial sands over river stones – is now over thirty five years old. Vinification takes place in open cement fermenters. A small batch is partially barrel fermented. Maturation follows in new and old French and American oak for between 12 and 18 months. The wine is tightly structured with earthy, pepper, raspberry black olive characters and firm tannins; with age becoming more earthy, complex and loose-knit with softer tannins. Andrew Caillard MW