2021 Tribute "Mr Mark" Shiraz

THE WINE

Where the Estate Shiraz is bright and red fruited this Tribute Shiraz is all about darker brooding fruits and spice, the more serious big sister.  Aromatics of black currant and mulberry fruits with spices of cumin and white pepper, while dark concentrated fruits and olive tapenade flow into a fine velvet tannin structure. This wine is rich and long whilst remaining refined and elegant in its reflection of the cool Yarra climate.

THE VINTAGE

One of the best, close to perfect vintages in the last 10 years. January was warm with good rainfall setting up the vines with an ideal amount of soil moisture. This was followed by a month of cool and dry conditions, perfect for slow and steady fruit ripening. The cooler conditions and even ripening resulted in producing fine elegant wines.

VITICULTURE + WINEMAKING

Select rows comprised of Bests Old Block and Tahbilk clones from our north facing ‘F’ block. Fruit was hand harvested and cooled overnight.  Then placed in open top fermenters in a combination of destemmed and whole bunches, a cool start gave rise to a slow fermentation start. Hand plunged and gently handled, then pressed upon dryness. Predominantly aged in seasoned puncheons from one to two years old.  Maturation was for 8 months before blending and maturing for a further 2 months.

FOOD MATCH

SLOW COOKED CAPE GRIM BEEF RIB | Potato gratin | leeks | roasted onions | radish | wild celery leaf

HALLIDAY RATED - 95 POINTS