2005 Water Wheel Shiraz

Year after year the Water Wheel vineyards consistently produce a big rich peppery central Victorian Shiraz that offers wine lovers tremendous bang for their buck. Established in 1972 and purchased by the Cumming family in 1989, Water Wheel’s emphasis on producing high quality wines at affordable prices has built up a loyal following which results in their wines selling out quickly each vintage.

The 2005 vintage was the earliest and shortest ever - all of the shiraz fruit was harvested over a 2 week period making work in the winery hectic to say the least. Over the last 10 vintages, winemaker Peter Cumming has observed that vintages have been increasingly earlier and shorter. To give you an idea of the trend Peter draws comparison to the 1995 vintage. “In 1995 we started to pick Shiraz on the 23rd March and finished on the 5th May with fruit around 14 beaume”, compare this to the 2005 vintage where picking was finished by March 26th with 16 beaume fruit. “In the 1990’s the plum, berry and spice flavours that were developing in the grapes at 13-14 beaume are now suddenly arriving at around 15 beaume. The richer plum flavours accumulate in the next beaume or so to fill the profile out.” In others words optimal flavour profiles in the grapes are occurring at a quicker rate and at higher alcohol levels. “Warmer years and earlier vintages are now something to get used to and prepare for. So called ‘normal vintages’ are a thing of the past”. And with low crops from the spring frosts, and limited water availability, 2007 may turn out to be the earliest vintage ever.

Peter Cummings continues to produce outstanding value for money wines.

Produced from yields around 3 tonnes per acre, the wine was matured in a combination of new, 1 and 2 year old American hogsheads for 9-12 months. Opaque black crimson colour with black crimson hue. Lifted nose of ripe plum, blackberry, vanilla and liquorice allsorts creating a perfumed sniff. Generous palate, plenty of weight and flavour. Liquorice flavours are supported by very strong black pepper, spice and blackberry. Excellent balance. Very long aftertaste of black pepper and spice. Another top red from Water Wheel.
Cellar 3-4 years (2009-2010)
Alc/Vol: 15.5%