Clos Otto Shiraz
2020 Cellar Release
Opulence, complexity and balance all come to mind when thinking about the Clos Otto Shiraz…
With vines planted by previous owner Otto Kasper using a cutting from an ageing and secret Shiraz clone, and tended to with almost antique machinery and a well-practiced hand, the Clos Otto vineyard consistently yields super low quantities with ultra rich flavours.
(Due to volume scarcity, a 6 bottle limit applies)
Accolades
James Halliday Wine Companion – 96 points
The Wine Advocate – 96 points
Wine Spectator – 94 points
Vineyard
G-Block: Shallow red clay loam overlying red plastic clay | North-south oriented rows | Elevated eastern aspect | Long even sunlight
Upshot: Soft elegant tannins | Complex aromatic and flavour profile
Vintage
Pre-vintage
Rainfall: Above average winter and early spring rainfall | Dry late spring early summer
Temperature: Warm Spring to early Summer | High winds during flowering
Upshot: Balanced vines | Augmented development | Uneven fruit set
Vintage
Rainfall: Rain event mid-February | Dry otherwise
Temperature: Hot Summer | Milder during vintage
Upshot: Early harvest before mid-vintage pause | Late ripening and flavour development | Balanced concentrated wines
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 – 65% new, 35% 2nd use | Natural malolactic fermentation | 22 months maturation
Technical Analysis: Alcohol – 14.8% | pH – 3.67 | Acid – 6.4g/L | RS – <1.0g/L
Noteworthy Dates
Harvested: 26th February – 11th March 2014 | Bottled: February 2016 | Re-released: September 2020
Profile
Sensorial
Profile: Blackberry | Raspberry | Chocolate | Tobacco leaf | Balsamic | Spice
Texture: Fresh and vibrant | Outstanding balance | Exceptional palate length | Powerful yet poised
Animal/Vehicle/Musical
Animal – Wedge-tailed Eagle
Vehicle – Ferrari Roma
Musical – Grand Piano