1999 Baileys 1920's Block Shiraz

Notes sourced from Beringer Blass

Baileys of Glenrowan is a winery rich in heritage and character. Celebrating 130 years of winemaking, the Baileys wines represent real Australian heritage in a bottle. The vineyards at Baileys of Glenrowan date back to the original one-hectare block of shiraz, which was re-planted in 1904 after the devastation of phylloxera at the turn of the last century. Glenrowan produces red wines with real character- deep colour, intense concentration of flavours and resilient structure. The fruit for the 1920’s Block is sourced exclusively from low cropping shiraz vines planted adjacent to the winery during the 1920s.
The 1920’s block has a combination of irrigated and dry grown vines. The fruit from the irrigated section provides the fleshy middle palate of the wine, while the dry grown fruit adds that extra weight and complexity to the wine. Interestingly the yields from both portions of the vineyard are very similar. The soils in the Glenrowan area are of volcanic origin – deep red, well drained over basalt.
The fruit for this wine was hand harvested exclusively from the 80 year-old vines at Glenrowan. A combination of 2-tonne open fermenters and small static fermenters were used, with exposure to skins and solids. Individual parcels were then blended and allowed to mature in new and seasoned American (75%) and French (25%) oak for 12 months.
Tasting notes: Once again the 1920’s Block has produced a wine of great intensity and complexity. Rich aromas of plums, dark berry fruits and charry oak complement the deep crimson colour. The full-bodied palate is layered with concentrated varietal flavours of ripe plums and berries built around a robust structure of firm oak and silky tannins. One of the finest examples of old vine shiraz in Australia and the product of a warm dry vintage in north east Victoria. Cellar 10 to 20 years.
Alc/Vol: 13.3 %