2012 Salomon Estate Shiraz – Finnis River South Australia
A fantastic example of a South Australian Shiraz from the masters of Gruner Veltliner in Austria. Through a love affair of Australia and Penfolds, this winemaking family with over 220 years in Austria purchased a block of land near McLaren Vale and planted a vineyard in 1995. Bert Salomon has become the ultimate flying winemaker, doing vintages in each hemisphere since 2002. Not a bad way to spend your time.
The soils of this vineyard are typically gravel and sand over red and orange sandstone, with the vineyard falling gently away towards the northwest, providing ideal exposure and plenty of warmth to ripen the grapes. Balanced by the cooling breezes which roll off the Southern Ocean in the late-afternoon, ensuring excellent acid retention.
A great example of “New Australia” Shiraz. Gone are the lashings of sweet US oak and alcohols above 15%. Rather we have elegance and power combined. The fruit is handpicked and then transported to a winemaking facility in McLaren Vale the family leases. It is barrel aged for 18 months in large 300 litre French hogsheads (approximately 50% new). It is the use of French Oak that gives the wine its elegance.
It is a classic “New” South Australian Shiraz with an expressive bouquet of black fruits, liquorice and dark chocolate. A full bodied wine, but in no way over the top. It has plenty of structure and impeccably integrated tannins.