2015 Penny's Hill Cracking Black Shiraz

The most interesting aspect of Penny’s Hill Malpas Road vineyard is a peculiar characteristic of the soil from which this wine's namesake is derived, due to the cracking black 'bay of biscay' soils. Since the site was planted in 1991, viticulturists have observed come summer, preceding vintage, that fissures occur as the black soil dries up. It literally cracks apart, severing any surplus root structure in the vine; a process which naturally lessens vine vigour and enhances fruit quality.

To best reflect the variations in terroir across the vineyards and ensure that the fruit is picked at optimal levels of physiological ripeness, harvest of individual parcels occurs on different days. Maturation takes place in French oak barrels; approximately 20% new for a period of 18 months.

A rich, powerful McLaren Vale Shiraz with an extravagant generosity of dark fruit overshadowing an underbelly of ripe chewy tannins, all delivered at a cracking price.

Superbly coloured displaying an impenetrable inky black core with a deep dark purple black tinged hue. Elevated dark plum, blackberry and liquorice scents rise out of the glass over some vanillin oak, subtle dark chocolate and spice. Rich, lush, densely concentrated and possessing a muscular core of tannins, the full bodied palate dishes up opulently textured flavours of succulent ripe blackberries, dark plums and liquorice which dominate over some well concealed vanillin oak, a touch of meatiness, subtle earth and spicy pepper. The robust tannin structure largely melding into the opulence of the fruit yet still provides some grip. Concludes with a long powerful finish of spicy ripe blackberry, liquorice, dark plum, subtle dried meat, vanillin cedar and pepper. A beauty for the cellar if you can keep your hands off it!
Cellar 6-8 years.
Alc 14.5%