Whistler Shiver Down My Spine Barossa Valley Shiraz 2016 (Australia)

Description

"Some really nice herb action to this shiraz. It also sports aromas of blueberry skin, slate, nutmeg, jasmine and pressed violets. Medium-bodied with some lovely blue fruit, firm tannins and a fresh, zesty finish" James Suckling, Jamessuckling.com, Jul 2018

Bursting with blackcurrant and blueberries, this wine shows the typical characters found in the Western side of the Barossa- chocolate/mocha and black pepper. Frankincense and blackberries jump out of the glass, along with a slight leafiness, which comes from the whole bunch component in the wine. Soft and juicy on the palate, but with a backbone of tannin from the whole bunches that draws the wine across the palate giving it length and precision.

100% of the fruit is sourced from Whistlers vineyards surrounding their Cellar Door. Hand picked by their loyal customers, the Purple Hands crew, the majority of this wine comes from the grafted Shiraz block, with the balance coming from the older plantings of Shiraz on Whistlers vineyard.

The Purple Hands crew transferred the fruit by hand or by pitchfork into French oak hogsheads, and half-tonne picking bins, then foot stomped the fruit to burst the berries and encourage the natural fermentation to commence. 20% of this wine was fermented as whole bunch in this way, with the balance fermented on skins for 10 days in old concrete fermenters. Basket pressed to seasoned oak for 16 months, then bottled with no fining and no filtration.

Ready to drink now or cellar for up to 10 years.