1998 Brand's of Coonawarra Stentiford's Reserve Old Vines Shiraz

Notes sourced from McWilliam’s Wines

The legend of the Brand’s of Coonawarra vineyards dates back to 1896 when Captain Stentiford established a 28 hectare vineyard in the heart of the legendary strip of terra rossa soil and named the property “Laira” after a holed square-rigged ship. It is believed that the “Laira” was the ship that actually delivered the vines which Captain Stentiford planted in this vineyard. Over a century later, these old vines are still producing grapes of exceptional flavour and intensity.

1998 brought excellent vintage conditions in Coonawarra allowing the grapes to reach optimum maturity and outstanding varietal flavours prior to harvest early May 1998. The juice was fermented on skin for 7 days in headed down tanks before transfer to new French oak barrels to complete fermentation. The wine was also allowed to undergo malolactic fermentation before being racked off lees. 26 months maturation in new French oak barrels completed the wine making process prior to blending and bottling in October 2000.

Damson with purple hues. A complex bouquet showing intense spicy plum and mulberry primary fruit aromas overlaid by rich French oak characters of spice, dusty cedar and cinnamon. Oak ageing has also contributed dark chocolate notes. The rich and intense palate displays dark cherry and plum fruit characters well integrated with spicy cinnamon and cedar oak characters complemented by sooth dark chocolate flavours. The palate has a long fine grained tannin finish. This wine will benefit from 10 to 15 years cellaring.
Alcohol by Volume: 13.5 %