-
95
/ 100
James Halliday
Red
Classification
Shiraz Blend
Variety
2011
Vintage
750ml (Bottle)
Bottle Size
Australia
Country
Victoria, Yarra Valley
Region
14.5%
Alcohol %
15 Plus Years
Cellaring
Scores
95 / 100"One of the most daring releases of recent times, not so much for its blend of shiraz, pinot noir and sauvignon blanc as its bold shot at 100% whole bunch fermentation in the cold, wet '11, from a vineyard so run down it almost didn't crop at all. Bill Downie has worked his magic to create a hauntingly ethereal wine of internal harmony, silky structure and captivating exoticism."
- James Halliday
Tasting Notes
This wine came about when William Downie was asked to make a wine that speaks of the best of what Australia can do. He has full control of the process from the vineyard to the final packaging. The wine is from one vineyard in the Yarra Valley and is a blend of Shiraz, Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc. The blend came about because Bill and the team felt that on their own they had three OK wines, but together they had a wine that offered “Truth in the Glass”. The wine spoke of where it came from. The wine making process was simply “Whole bunches in a vessel.” No destemming, no yeast additions, no crushing, no punched downs or pump overs. Even the Sauv Blanc was made with full stems and skins. In fact it spent almost a year on skins which would be considered almost heresy in most peoples winemaking manuals.
Thousand Candles caused quite a stir after its release. It is certainly a departure from traditional Australian wine making but one that has and pushed the boundaries and I feel in time this will be considered a classic.
Tasting Profile
- Light
- Full
- Low Tannin
- Tannic
- Sweet
- Dry
- Low Acidity
- High Acidity