1998 Rothbury Estate Hunter Valley Shiraz

Notes sourced from Southern Cross Wines.

Shiraz is Australia's favourite red variety, and for 30 years the Rothbury Estate has had a fine reputation as a maker of great Hunter Valley Shiraz.Fruit for this wine was sourced from the Upper and Lower Hunter Valleys in New South Wales. The lower Hunter has a notorious climate and poor soils which results in low crops of intense fruit. The Upper Hunter is more consistent and offers richness and roundness to the lower Hunter's traditional spice. 1998 was an excellent year in the Hunter Valley as it was dry leading up to harvest, allowing the grapes to be left on the vines until optimum picking time.The crushed and de-stemmed must began fermentation in tank at warm temperatures before being pressed and transferred into new and seasoned American and French oak barriques. The wine completed its fermentation in these barrels, then matured in the same oak for a further 18 months before bottling.Tasting Notes: The 1998 Rothbury Shiraz has all the hallmarks of a classic Rothbury red, starting with the youthful deep blood-red colour. Lifted aromas of blackcurrant/redcurrant and dark plums abound, with spicy, leathery characters and subtle oak giving complexity. On the palate the wine is medium-full bodied with intense varietal fruit, fine, velvety tannins and a soft finish. Cellar 4-6 years. 12.6% alcohol volume.