2020 Neldner Vineyard Shiraz
Handpicked grapes from an 80-year-old contoured Shiraz vineyard in Seppeltsfield, Barossa Valley. Picked in the cool of the morning, 10% whole bunch with the rest whole berries destemmed into open fermenters, cold soaked before natural fermentation slowly occurring as it warmed. A long cool ferment spread over 9-10 days retaining all the lovely structure and flavour before being basket pressed into 30% new French oak with the rest seasoned USA and French where it underwent natural Malolactic fermentation.
WINE REVIEWS:
95 Points - The Real Review
Deep ruby core with a bright ruby tint at the rim. Plum compote and blood sausage on the nose. Deep and dense with appealing fruit weight and intensity that is well balanced by smoked meat, ironstone and saline mineral complexities. Tannins are supple and gently guide the wine long and lingering for ages at the finish. Drink 2023-2031
95 Points - Halliday Wine Companion
Shiraz from the 80-year-old vines of the Neldner Vineyard in Gomersal; 10% whole bunches, matured in French oak (30% new) and seasoned American oak. Bright crimson with lifted aromas of blackberry, black cherry and dark plum fruits. Dark and clove-like with a pinch of volatile acidity sending the blackcurrant notes into the pastille territory. There is a dark, broody presence on the palate with blackstrap licorice and dark chocolate tones coming through with plenty of ripe tannin and drive along its length. It's got some power.
93+ Points - Robert Parker Wine Advocate
The 2020 Stonehouse Shiraz is inky and intense with layers of aniseed, licorice and exotic spice. The pure core of dark berry fruit (which almost glimmers and shimmers in its vibrancy) is wrapped in a package of savory, meaty tannins that serve to suspend the flavors in the mouth. There's an animalistic, burnt coffee character to this wine, and it finishes with a snarl. Cellar it rather than drinking it in the short term: it's quintessential, resinous, charry Barossa Shiraz and will live beyond a decade. Drink 2025 - 2037