2006 Vintage
Appellation: Fleurieu (South Australia)
Grape Variety: 100% Shiraz
Cascabel Winery
Owner, winemakers, Duncan Ferguson and Susana Fernandez are highly committed to “in house production”, using traditional European techniques.
The winery is located on a gentle slope at the southern end of McLaren Vale, with production primarily focused on Spanish grape varieties.. Though the grapes for this single vineyard Shiraz come from a cooler site at the southern end of the Fleurieu Peninsula, some 25 Km south of the winery.
The estate uses a small batch winemaking process, where all vineyard blocks are kept separate in the winery. This increases blending options, thereby helping to maintain wine quality. The results are wines which reflect the personalities of the grape, the soil and also that of the owners.
Wine Making
Handpicked, dry grown low yielding grapes were used for wine production. The grapes were brought to the winery in late March 2006 at 14.8 Bé°. The wine was fermented in an 8 ton stainless steel fermenter, with some whole bunches. Temperatures were allowed to reach up to 31ºC. Following fermentation, the wine was macerated on skins for 4 weeks, in order to obtain better palate structure, with a resultant sacrifice of some fruitiness and colour.
The wine was then pressed straight into a tank and then transferred to barrel where Malolactic Fermentation occurred spontaneously. Barrel fermentation is carried out in 40% new French oak puncheons (500 L), 60% 2 an 3 year old oak puncheons. Following 18 months in the barrel, the wine was transferred to a tank and allowed to settle naturally. Filtration and fining are not used.
The wine was bottled in February 2007 by gravity filling with screw caps. The whole process, through to labelling and packaging, is carried out in house to produce wines of consistent quality and individuality.
Tasting Notes
This shiraz grapes selected for wine production were those grown in cooler conditions, in order to avoid the jammy and overripe characters commonly associated with Shiraz grown in northern and inland regions.
The wine has a dense inky, ruby colouration, with a nose of spice and black fruits. The palate is ripe with concentrated flavours of Satsuma plum (Japanese blood plum), elegant tannins and a long savoury finish.
Serving Suggestions: Aubergines Au Gratin, Eggs with Anchovy Butter, Braised Beef.
Technical Information
Yields per acre: 1.2 tons
Cases produced: 570 dozen
Total Acid: 5.7 grams/litre
pH: 3.63
Residual Sugar: Dry
Alcohol: 14.9% Vol
Free/Total Sulphur: 25/89
Ratings:
91 Points International Wine Cellar 2006 Vintage
94 Points Wine Advocate 2005 Vintage
94 Points Wine Advocate 2004 Vintage
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