1998 Metala Original Plantings Shiraz

Notes sourced from Mildara Blass.

The Metala Original Plantings Shiraz is only released from superior vintages, and is the flagship of the respected and traditional Metala brand.
This wine was made from fruit sourced exclusively from the “Old Block” and “Cellar Block” vineyards in the Langhorne Creek region of South Australia, and were planted in 1891 and 1894 respectively. The old vineyards at Metala are flood irrigated from the River Bremer when the levee banks overflow in winter. 1998 was a classic vintage, which resulted in fruit of incredible concentration, ripeness and intensity.
After crushing/de-stemming, the must was vinified in traditional concrete open fermenters at the historic Saltram winery in the Barossa Valley. The wine was then pressed off skins, racked and transferred into new American oak hogsheads where it remained for 18 months maturation.
Tasting Notes: The dark red/black colour with a crimson robe only hints at the intensity of this wine. Aromas of dark berry/blackcurrant/raspberry fruit are complexed by spicy liquorice and vanillin oak aromas, and the regional Langhorne Creek eucalypt/mint character. On the full-bodied, richly flavoured and textured palate the wine has a great concentration of fruit, layered with ample, finely grained tannins, giving great power, length and cellaring potential. Cellar 5-15 years. 14.5% alcohol volume.