Merindoc Single Vineyard Shiraz 2017
Merindoc Single Vineyard Shiraz 2017
Vintage 2018 followed a dry, moderate Spring/Summer growing season and perfect harvest conditions. The best parcel of fruit was handpicked for this wine on 9 April 2018. With its deep root system, the Merindoc “Spring’s” block responded to the more benign growing conditions producing beautiful clusters of ripe fruit. The 18th Vintage of this Vineyard has produced a classic Merindoc – a fragrant bouquet with concentrated dark red berries, blueberries and violets with hints of rose petal and fine integrated French oak; ripe, sweet, intense red berries, firm, long tannins, excellent line and length, mouth filling with a long aftertaste. While harmonious now this gracious wine will evolve beautifully over the next 10-20 years.
THE VINEYARD
The Merindoc Vineyard Shiraz fruit is from a small amphitheatre shaped block of 7.4 acres nestled in the southern foothills of the Heathcote regions. The single clone PT23 was planted on SO4 and Telecki root stock, on a VSP trellis at a density of 700 vines per acre in 1995. The soils are granitic, ironstone washed through with granite sand over yellow and black cracking clays.
THE WINEMAKING
After hand selection, the 4 tonne parcel was vinified in a single wooden fermenter using natural yeast over 40 days before being transferred to French oak bariques for 17 months. Bottled under screw cap in February 2020. 100 cases were produced.