Rutherglen Estate Shiraz 2023 | De Bortoli

Winemaking Notes

Selected from some of the most prized Shiraz vineyards on the Estate, the 2023 Shiraz is partially crushed into temperature-controlled vats. A small percentage of the fruit is hand-picked and is added to ferment as whole bunches to add freshness. A small percentage of Viognier is added to help lift aromatics and freshness. The wine is aged in French and American oak to give tightness and roundness on the palate whilst helping to give complexity in all areas. The Shiraz is grown on the De Bortoli Burgoyne and Shelley's vineyards on the eastern edge of the Rutherglen region. Both sites have an interesting range of aspects from the warmer westerly facing sites to a south-facing block. The soils are a range of gravel, clay and alluvial soil mix, resulting in a positive diversity of fruit flavour profiles. Winemaker Marc Scalzo has crafted a wine with deep brick red colour, aromas of chocolate, ripe blueberry, mocha and dark berries, with integrated oak adding aromas of cedar and spice. The palate is well-structured, with richness and mouth-coating fine tannins supporting a core of dark fruit. This Shiraz is made to cellar, expressing its drinkability now but will continue to soften over the next 3-6 years, cellaring nicely for up to 10 years. The wine is suitable for vegans and vegetarians.

Vintage Conditions

2023 was a slightly cooler than average year without any extreme heat. Because of a wet spring it was a busy growing season. Fortunately post-December the summer became more normal. February and March dried out with ideal mild days which resulted in a fantastic year in Rutherglen for red varieties. The season was three weeks later than average and De Bortoli feel fortunate to have ended up with the wines they have in the cellar. The slightly cooler conditions and ideal mild days in February and March allowed the Shiraz grapes from the Burgoyne and Shelley's vineyards to develop chocolate, ripe blueberry, mocha and dark berry characters whilst maintaining the structure and backbone essential for age-worthy wines. The range of aspects from warmer westerly facing sites to south-facing blocks, combined with the diverse soils of gravel, clay and alluvial mix, resulted in a positive diversity of fruit flavour profiles. The 2023 vintage has proven to be exceptional, with the wine receiving 91 points from The Real Review, praising it as "deep, rich red-purple colour; chocolate and blackberry on the nose and palate, which is full-bodied, smooth textured and loaded with supple tannins, in good balance. Attractive flavours and palate weight, with the structure and backbone to age well." The wine also earned a Silver Medal at The Drinks Business Global Syrah Masters, confirming the quality of this fantastic Rutherglen vintage.