2014 Penny's Hill Skeleton Key Shiraz

Sourced from the original Penny’s Hill vineyard, its slightly higher elevation means it enjoys a climate a little cooler than the rest of McLaren Vale. This ensures more consistent temperatures throughout the ripening period, allowing Shiraz to reach optimum ripeness with minimum stress. Individual blocks were harvested and vinified separately to best express the variation in terroir. Fruit was crushed and fermented on skins in open fermenters for 10 days prior to pressing. Maturation was in French oak of which approximately 40% was new oak. The balance was matured in 1, 2 and 3 year old oak and after 18 months the final wine was blended.

Superbly concentrated, the 2014 Skeleton Key possesses an air of refinement whilst still maintaining a powerful presence.

Outstanding inky black colour with a very deep dark red black hue. Pronounced liquorice, blackberry and black cherry aromas are overlaid by blackpepper with underlying vanillin cedar, dried meats and spice also present. Rich, long and powerful the palate rolls out opulent flavours of liquorice, blackberries and black cherries infused with blackpepper over some subtle dark chocolate, vanillin cedar, traces of dried meats and spice. The succulent black fruits amply supported by a solid tannin structure which imparts some chewiness to the otherwise opulent textural feel. Outstanding length finishing very long with an aftertaste of liquorice, succulent ripe blackberries, vanillin cedar, a subtle meatiness and blackpepper.
Cellar 6-8 years.
Alc 14.5%