2021 Water Wheel Bendigo Shiraz

A rich, deeply concentrated Bendigo Shiraz that has a liqueur like texture and firm, chewy tannins.

Water Wheel Vineyards, located in the Bendigo district, were established in 1972, however, it wasn’t until 1989 when the Cumming family purchased the winery and 20 acres of vineyard that it began to establish a market presence. With a philosophy of producing rich ripe flavour filled wines that delivered value way beyond their miserly price point, Water Wheel vineyards quickly established a very loyal following during the early 1990’s to the point where in the later part of the decade their Shiraz was in such high demand that they sold out within months of release.
The same philosophy remains at Water Wheel today, it’s just that things are done on a much larger scale with the group now having total plantings that exceeds 300 acres. Yields are capped at 3 tonnes per acre, which explains the concentration of flavour found in these wines. The winemaking is straightforward with fermentation taking place in open stainless steel fermenters. The finished wine is then matured in 2-5 year old American oak hogsheads for 24 months.
Dense pitch black heart with a deep dark red black hue. Spicy dark plum and liquorice scents sail through the olfactory senses followed by some toasty vanillin oak, fennel and peppered earth notes. Rich and bold, aniseed, dark plum and black cherry fruits make an opulent entrance. Toasty oak, fennel and peppered earth elements linger across the back half. Deep and concentrated it has a liqueur like texture and firm, chewy tannins. Finishes long and generous yet slightly rustic.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 14.9%