Down The Rabbit Hole 2021 Shiraz

McLAREN VALE
WINEMAKER: WALTER CLAPPIS

Our 2021 Shiraz fills your mouth with rich red berry flavours and peppery undertones which are augmented by the maturation in small french oak. The wine is juicy, soft and velvety, with a long smooth finish.

Vintage Notes 

The 2021 ripening season preceded with our average rainfall for the first time in at least 3 vintages. Not only did McLaren Vale experience a wet winter, but also a luscious spring and significantly cooler summer. This created magnificent ripening conditions from fruit set and flowering through version and final ripening. Yields were back up compared with the previous few vintages, coupled with arguably the best quality vintage in over 20 years. While vintage was long and drawn out, it created a relaxed picking environment and superb balance of natural acidity, texture and tannin in the resulting wines.

Winemaking Notes

Harvested in the early hours of the morning, the grapes went straight from the vineyard into open top fermenters – with a significant portion remaining whole berries. It was then gently pumped over just enough to wet the cap twice daily for 14 days. The ferment was kept cool to retain the bright primary fruit characters. Following fermentation, the wine was pressed and completed malolactic fermentation in stainless steel tank before being racked into a seasoned French oak foudre to mature for 18 months. Certified organic Shiraz from the alluvial clay over sandy loam soils.

COLOUR
Deep red with purple hues

BOUQUET
Bright and aromatic with dark red berries, nutmeg, white pepper, subtle oak and complex barrel ferment characters showing through.

PALATE
Full flavoured, packed with red berries, a hint of plum and blackberry, complemented by dark chocolate, liquorice and black pepper. Structured and well balanced with a long, velvety finish.

Technical Notes

• Age Of Vines: 25 years old - certified organic
• Harvest Date: 16/3/21
• Varieties: Shiraz 100%
• Yields per acre: 2.7 Tonnes
• Region: McLaren Vale 100%
• Vineyard: East/West row orientation, single cordon
• Baume at Harvest: 14.2 degrees Be
• Oak Treatment: 100% French oak foudre (4,500L) for 24 months
• Residual Sugar: 0.62 g/L
• Alcohol: 14.0% v/v
• PH: 3.48
• TA: 6.5g/L