Star Lane Shiraz 2014

"A gorgeous shiraz from this boutique winery in Beechworth. A sophisticated and complex wine from start to finish, with a strong spice and pepper background to the red and black fruits that flood the medium-bodied palate which has an overall savoury cast that works well. The mouthfeel is particularly good, fine-grained tannins underpinning the elegant, mouthwatering structure. Lovely drinking now but will benefit from a few years in the cellar

The vineyard at Star Lane was planted in 1997 comprising of 5 acres of Shiraz grapes. The fruit is hand picked in the cool of the early morning using only the best fruit on the vines. The vines are low yielding and the berry size is kept small creating good skin to flesh ratio which creates intensity in the wine. The wine is wild fermented in open top fermenters, basket pressed and allowed to go through a long slow secondary fermentation and is aged in 100% French with 50% new French oak barrels for nearly two years. 800 cases produced.

"This wine is deep, generous, and balanced. It has a smooth, supple but rich and powerful palate. It has shy blackberry and blackcurrant aromas with a whiff of licorice with a very long and savoury palate. It has a seasoning of classy French oak that is perfectly balanced with fruit that is well able to handle it."  Star Lane