Greg Norman Shiraz

Description

Vintage & Viticulture The weather was fine and mild in the Limestone Coast throughout late winter and spring of 2011, conditions which extended into the summer and autumn ripening months of vintage 2012. This weather was coupled with lower than average rainfall in all the main sub-regions of the Limestone Coast where fruit is sourced for the Greg Norman Australian wines; namely Padthaway, Coonawarra , Mt Benson, Robe and Wrattonbully. This noticeable reduction in total regional rainfall was accompanied by cooler mean monthly maximum temperatures and warmer mean minimum monthly temperatures ideal for long ripening of Shiraz .Over this same period it was windier than usual. The desiccating windy conditions caused poorer flowering and berry set, reducing the fruit yields particularly in Robe and Coonawarra. All these factors contributed to the remarkable quality of the 2012 Shiraz grapes. A proportional part of the final blend included Shiraz from the warmer Padthaway region along with the more southerly cooler regional fruit, with each contributing subtle regional fruit characters that have added to the complexity of this excellent Australian Shiraz.Vinification Shiraz vineyard parcels are kept separate in the winery from the crusher until final stage of wine blending. After destemming and crushing all fruit is gently fermented for 5 to 10 days or longer at 22’C then pressed off skins before the harsh bitter tannins are extracted into the wine. Ferments were racked off lees to complete malolactic fermentation in either stainless steel tanks or in small oak barrels. After 12 months maturation the individual wine components and wine barrel groups of each vineyard were tasted and selected through to be included in the final blend.Winemaker’s Notes The 2012 Greg Norman Estates Shiraz is an attractive dark crimson red color in the glass. On the nose, rich chocolate and coconut mocha notes from the oak maturation underpin distinctive black cherry, mulberry and blackberry jam aromas. The medium bodied wine is soft and elegantly structured showing a spectrum of rich dark fruits including cherry, mulberry, blackberry, and boysenberry flavors on the palate. These Flavors meld with fine cedar and chocolaty oak adding persistence on the long finish. – Greg Norman Estates