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2013 Water Wheel Shiraz

Bendigo, Victoria, AUSTRALIA
$15. 99
Bottle
$191.88 Dozen
Cellar: 5 - 6 Years (2019-2020)
ABV: 14.8%
Closure: Stelvin

Water Wheel Vineyards, located in the Bendigo district, were established in 1972, however, it wasn’t until 1989 when the Cumming family purchased the winery and 20 acres of vineyard that it began to establish a market presence. With a philosophy of producing rich ripe flavour filled wines that delivered value way beyond their miserly price point, Water Wheel vineyards quickly established a very loyal following during the early 1990’s to the point where in the later part of the decade their Shiraz was in such high demand that they sold out within months of release.

The same philosophy remains at Water Wheel today, it’s just that things are done on a much larger scale with the group now having total plantings that exceeds 300 acres. Yields are capped at 3 tonnes per acre, which explains the concentration of flavour found in these wines. The winemaking is straightforward with fermentation taking place in open stainless steel fermenters. The finished wine is then matured in a combination of new and 1-2 year old American oak hogsheads for 9-12 months.

A Rich, youthful Water Wheel with plenty of potential

Outstanding colour displaying an inky black core with a deep very dark purple hue. On the nose ripe blackberry and liquorice aromas meld together followed by some dark plum, vanillin confectionary and light pepper end notes. Full bodied the palate is packed with rich ripe Shiraz fruit wrapped up in an opulent textural feel. Mouthfilling flavours of blackberries and liquorice are followed by some dark plum and vanillin confectionary with a blackpepper overlay that persists right through to the back palate. Dryish finish with fine grained, slightly chalky tannins adding substance. Long aftertaste of blackpepper, ripe blackberries, liquorice and vanillin confectionary.
Cellar 5-6 years.
Alc 14.8%