2014 Brick Kiln Single Vineyard Shiraz

When Brick Kiln was purchased by the present owners in 2001, they were going to call their wine "Nine Gums Shiraz" in reference to nine trees on the homestead, but their North American partners advised that if they were to try to export the wine to the USA, the name would suggest "dentures" to an American audience. An old brick kiln bridge had been built near the approach towards the vineyard. The partners thought "Brick Kiln Bridge" a bit clumsy, but "Brick Kiln" quite appealing. Easy! The first Brick Kiln Shiraz was from the 2002 vintage. Production continues to be a tiny 1500 cases per year from a 20 acre site situated at Willunga in the southern reaches of McLaren Vale. Maturation is predominantly in American oak (85%) with the balance in French oak for a period 15 months. 35% of the oak is new.

Intensely flavoured and densely textured this superb McLaren Vale Shiraz packs some punch, filled to the gills with opulent dark and black fruits.

Matured for 15 months in predominately American oak hogsheads. Impenetrable black as night core with a deep dark red black hue. Intense liquorice, ripe blackberry and dark plum aromas rise from the glass followed by toasty vanillin oak, a hint of dark chocolate and spice. Rich, dense and possessing an opulent mouthfeel the full bodied palate is saturated with ripe blackberry, liquorice and dark plum with traces of dark chocolate also evident. Supporting the decadently rich fruit is an undercard of lightly toasted vanillin oak and spice. The sturdily built tannin structure coming across as velvet like. Long powerful aftertaste of ripe blackberries, liquorice, dark plum, black cherries, toasty vanillin oak and spicy pepper.
Cellar 5-6 years.
Alc 14.9%