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News
NICK STOCK, JAMESSUCKLING.COM
98 Points - A brooding nose, deep inky iodine-like notes as well as dark cherry, plum and redder berries, this is a statement of purity and concentration, really impressive craftsmanship too. The palate has a silky and luscious feel, beautifully realised tannins, velvety, even and flawless, a core of sweet red plum flavour and a long, pure fruit finish. Masterful wine. Drink now and for 15+ years.
JAMES HALLIDAY WINE COMPANION
97 Points - This is stellar. The length, the breadth, the form, the immaculate rollout of tannin. It shows cherry plum, earth, violet and spice, but the sum of such humble parts is so much more than that. Milk chocolate from oak simply goes with the flow. We stand in the presence of something resembling greatness.
HUON HOOKE
96 Points - Deep, bright, red/purple colour; the bouquet subtle, with dark fruits, spices and earthy, meaty nuances. The wine is full-bodied and very intense, showing good concentration and power, drive and precision, with great length and ample fine-grained tannins, which are superbly gentle. A core of fruit-sweetness adds charm and the tannins provide a clean, harmonious aftertaste that powers on and on. An outstanding Hunter shiraz.
Wine Description
The Story
Our flagship shiraz. Our flagship shiraz. Inaugural winner of the Hunter Valley Wine Show's Wine of Provenance award, alongside Vat 1 Semillon.
Wine Information
The 2014 Vat 9 has a classic earthy, savoury nose, typical of great Hunter Shiraz. The palate has fantastic weight and balance with a lingering finish, good acidity and fine tannin.
VINEYARD – The fruit for the 2014 Vat 9 Shiraz was sourced from Tyrrell’s super premium vineyards on the Ashman’s property with an average vine age of 50 years. Predominately from the Weinkeller and Short Flat vineyards.
SOIL – Deep, red volcanic clay over limestone.
VINTAGE CONDITIONS – An almost perfect growing season was experienced for the 2014 vintage, one of the best in recent memory. This meant that all of the fruit we harvested was in pristine condition and had beautiful avour.
WINEMAKER’S NOTES – The blocks were all hand picked and sorted in the vineyard before arriving at the winery. All the fruit was then destemmed but not crushed, followed by fermentation in traditional open top concrete vats. After fermentation the wiens were matured in newer 2700L French oak casks for ten months.
WINE ANALYSIS – Alc 14.5% pH 3.49 TA 6.90g/L
DATE BOTTLED – 2015
TASTING NOTES – The 2014 Vat 9 has a classic earthy, savoury nose, typical of great Hunter Shiraz. The palate has fantastic weight and balance with a lingering nish, good acidity and ne tannin.
