1996 Clarendon Hills Shiraz

Tasting notes sourced from Select Vineyards

The Clarendon Hills winery is situated in the Blewitt Springs region in the foothills above McLaren Vale. However the soils are different from McLaren Vale with a higher altitude and cooler ripening conditions. Winemaker Roman Bratassuik sources his fruit from wines that are between 50-85 years old and are dry grown which results in rich concentrated wines ideal for long term keeping. All the grapes are hand picked and fermented using wild yeasts. There is minimal handling and the wines are matured in French oak. There is no filtration. Blood red colour. The nose is very similar to that of the 1995 vintage with aromas of cigar box, caramel, vanilla and sweet berry. Again this wine like the 1995 is big on tannins but also has the depth of fruit flavours to make it balanced. An excellent cellaring proposition.