Greenock Creek Barossa Valley Shiraz 2021

The fruit was hand picked and fermented separately in open slate fermenters for 6 – 7 days. A portion of the wine was fermented in new French oak hogsheads (10%), with the balance in a selection of seasoned French and American oak hogsheads for 18 months.

The vintage will be remembered as one of best in living memory. The wines across the board are varietal driven, fruit rich and have a lively youthfulness that is remaining intake as the ageing process evolves in barrel. There is an amazing density of colour and vibrant/inviting hues to all wines. The tannins are full ripe and silky in structure and the length of fruit weight on the pallet and length is intensifying with ageing. The wines are very clean in appearance, aided by the structured the berries had at harvest with no heat to break down the pulp and skins.

The trend of below average rainfall continued through the winter and spring leading into the 2021 vintage. However the rainfall events that did occur, were almost at the perfect timing at bud-burst and flowering. The weather was also unusually mild though fruit set with very little wind and this resulted in a good potential crop and long elongated bunches of grapes. Canopy growth was strong and some slight skirting of the vines was required in the more vigorous growth blocks to open up the canopy and allow good natural airflow.