Spring follows Winter 2018
Our Fathers, Spring follows Winter Shiraz Grenache 2018, South Australia
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Vintage Conditions
Above average rainfall in July and August filled soil profiles and dams but from then on the season was very dry. It is this dry weather that characterised the 2018 season and the low disease pressure coupled with ideal conditions for flowering and early development set the vines up for an excellent season. With virtually no rainfall between January and April, fruit quality in all areas was very good though some heat stress in February led to isolated defoliation. As we like to pick ‘on the way up’ our season began quickly with several varieties ripening at once but then progressed nicely, with the ability to pick when it suited given the settled weather.
Winemaking
The Shiraz component was hand-picked early morning in the morning of March 3rd, a good few days before the rest of the vineyard was picked. This was intentional as we wanted to retain freshness and energy in the wine.
The grapes were rapidly transferred to the winery where 40% of the bunches were left intact and the balance gently de-stemmed. After a couple of days of pre-fermentation maceration, the natural fermentation began and was accompanied by two hand plunges a day to gently extract colour and tannin.
When fermentation was complete, the wine was left on skins (and stems) for another 5 days before transferring to French oak (50% new puncheons) where it completed malolactic fermentation and 12 months of maturation.
The Grenache component came from old vines in the Riverland region of South Australia. Hand picked and wild fermented with some whole bunch inclusion, this wine delivers a vibrant wild strawberry character which helps to balance the richness of the Shiraz.
Alcohol: 14.5%
750 bottles produced
