Yarra Yering ‘Underhill’ Shiraz 2022

A single block of Shiraz planted in 1973; 8 acres at the western end of the Yarra Yering vineyard. Wine Making: Hand harvested, the bunches pass across a sorting table before processing either as whole bunches or whole berries. 50% of the block is fermented and matured in a 3500L upright oak cask containing 20% whole bunches and topped up for maturation with 100% whole bunch component. The remainder of fermentation in the Yarra Yering half-tonne open-fermenters, gently hand plunged twice daily. Air bag pressed to release the last fermenting juice from the many whole berries that remain. The wine then aged for 12 months; 50% in the 3500L two-year- old cask and 50% to French oak puncheons (500L); 10% new oak. Perfumed cool climate Shiraz; deliciously medium bodied with a lick of aniseed spice. Vibrant blue and black plum fruits bring a fresh energy to the palate along with some liquorice spice layering in structure and complexity. As always from this block we see some cured meat and a smoke-char interest driving the back palate. Medium weighted and driven by fruit purity, oak just a faint background seasoning and a bite of stalk grip interest. Trophy, Best Shiraz – Yarra Valley Wine Show 2022 Gold Medal – Rutherglen Wine Show 2022 Gold Medal – 2022 Melbourne Royal Wine Awards Gold Medal – Yarra Valley Wine Show 2022 Gold, 98 Points - Halliday Wine Companion Gold Medal, 95 Points – Decanter World Wine Awards