2021 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 for a period of 15 months.
Impenetrable inky black heart with a deep dark red black tinged hue. Intense ripe blackberry, dark plum, blueberry and liquorice aromas fill the nostrils trailed by hints of vanillin cedar and peppered earth. Rich, luscious blackberry, liquorice and dark plum fruits saturate the opulent, full bodied palate with vanillin cedar and peppered earth elements lying underneath. Concentrated with a sturdy underbelly of velvet like tannins. Finishes long and fresh with a juicy pepper laced aftertaste.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14.5%