Brown Magpie Single Vineyard Shiraz 2015
Style: Red Wine
Closure: Screwcap
Brown Magpie Single Vineyard Shiraz 2015
Camberwell
Burke Road
Camberwell VIC 3124
Australia
Producer: Brown Magpie
Country: Australia
Region: Geelong
Vintage: 2015
Critic Score: 96
Alcohol: 13.9%
Size: 750 ml
Drink by: 2035
Brown Magpie is situated in Modewarre, near Geelong, which is in the hinterland of the Surf Coast and the Great Ocean Road. The vineyard was planted in 2001 and 2002 and is predominantly pinot noir (4ha), pinot gris (2.4ha) and shiraz (2.4ha).
"Hand-picked, small batch open-fermented with 20% whole bunches and a high proportion of whole berries, matured in barrel for 15 months. The whole bunches helped balance the extract from post-ferment maceration, leaving a shiraz with great flavour, texture, intensity and complexity. Its length and balance are also of a high order. Red and black cherry, spice, licorice and espresso coffee join with the tannins and oak of a great wine." James Halliday
Expert reviews
"Hand-picked, small batch open-fermented with 20% whole bunches and a high proportion of whole berries, plunged 3-4 times daily, extended post-ferment maceration, matured in barrel for 15 months. The whole bunches helped balance the extract from post-ferment maceration, leaving a shiraz with great flavour, texture, intensity and complexity. Its length and balance are also of a high order. Red and black cherry, spice, licorice and espresso coffee join with the tannins and oak of a great wine. Drink by 2040.” James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion - 96 points and Special Value Wine ★
Awards
Special Value Wine – Halliday Wine Companion ★
About the winery
Shane and Loretta Breheny's 20ha property is situated in Modewarre, near Geelong. The property has nine hectares of grapevines situated predominantly on a gentle, north-facing slope, with cypress trees on the western and southern borders providing protection against the wind. The vines were planted in 2001 and 2002 and are predominantly pinot noir (4ha), pinot gris (2.4ha) and shiraz (2.4ha). There are also some small patches of Chardonnay and Sauvignon (0.1ha each). Viticulture is Loretta's love; winemaking is Shane's. The Brown Magpie name comes from the rare brown and white magpies that live on the site.
The maritime-influenced cool climate region where the Brown Magpie vineyard is located has influenced the decisions on grapevine variety selection. The soils and soil structure are similar to other premium grape growing regions around the world. Under a thin layer of sandy loam there are layers of different types of clay, eventually leading to estuary marl, then limestone.
Victoria
Victoria is home to more than 800 wineries across 21 wine regions. The regions are Alpine Valley, Beechworth, Bendigo, Geelong, Gippsland, Glenrowan, Goulburn Valley, Grampians, Heathcote, Henty, King Valley, Macedon Ranges, Mornington Peninsula, Murray Darling, Pyrenees, Rutherglen, Strathbogie Ranges, Sunbury, Swan Hill, Upper Goulburn and Yarra Valley.
Victoria's first vines were planted at Yering in the Yarra Valley in 1838. By 1868 over 3,000 acres had been planted in Victoria, establishing Victoria as the premier wine State of the day. Today, the original vineyards planted at Best's Wines are among the oldest and rarest pre-phylloxera plantings in the world.
Victoria's climate varies from hot and dry in the north to cool in the south and each wine region specialises in different varietals. For example, Rutherglen in the north is famous for its opulent Muscats and Topaque and bold reds, while the many cooler climate regions near Melbourne produce world class Chardonnay and pinot Noir. Victoria is truly a wine lover's playground.