The Beast Shiraz
2020 Cellar Release
Like the fabled character, the Beast is big and bold, yet has a beautiful soft side…
Selected from a single block high on the hill, where the soils are shallow and the sunlight is even, you can expect the Beast to exhibit great concentration of flavour and richness, with soft grippy tannins.
(Due to volume scarcity, a 6 bottle limit applies)
Accolades
James Halliday Wine Companion – 96 points
James Suckling – 95 points
The Wine Advocate – 95 points
Vineyard
D-Block: Shallow red clay loam overlying shattered limestone | North-south oriented rows | Elevated eastern aspect | Long even sunlight
Upshot: Rich ripe fruit | Supple tannins | Intense aromatic and flavour profile
Vintage
Pre-vintage
Rainfall: Wet winter | Very dry spring and early summer
Temperature: Cool early summer conditions
Upshot: Early budburst and flowering | No disease pressure | Earlier expected harvest dates
Vintage
Rainfall: Mid-January rain event | Dry otherwise
Temperature: Warm days and cool nights
Upshot: Fast late ripening conditions | High natural acid | Rich flavours and vibrant fruit
Winemaking
Fermentation: De-stemmed | Left on skins for 8-10 days | Slow ferment at 15-18°C | Open pump-overs and hand plunging | Basket pressed
Oak: French – 60% new, 40% old | Natural malolactic fermentation | 22 months maturation
Technical Analysis: Alcohol – 15.5% | pH – 3.55 | Acid – 6.9g/L | RS – <1.0g/L
Noteworthy Dates
Harvested: 25th February – 1st March 2015 | Bottled: January 2016 | Re-released: September 2020
Profile
Sensorial
Profile: Blackberry | Satsuma Plum | Liquorice | Five spice
Texture: Prominent up-front tannins | Fresh and youthful | Powerful | Robust
Animal/Vehicle/Musical
Animal – East-African Lion
Vehicle – Chevrolet Camaro
Musical – Tenor Tuba