100% Shiraz. The Claire Reserve Shiraz is dedicated to Claire Marie O'Leary by the winemakers David O’Leary and Nick Walker. It is made exclusively from the fruit of gnarled vines planted a century ago and the vineyard is in the process of becoming organic. Hand-pruned and trained. At harvest the grapes are hand-picked and fermented in small batches in 2 tonne open fermenters, matured in new French oak for 24 months before coarse filtration. Leading up to the harvest the weather was mild, allowing for ripeness without extensive vine stress. Limited availability. Suitable for vegetarians and vegans

Minty, dark and fruity smell. Rich and syrupy texture. Really rolls into the mouth. Massive wine, astonishingly rich – almost like prune juice. The penultimate wine of 115 reds and rightly so. Alc 14.5%, TA 6.5g/l, pH 3.4, RS 2.0g/l. Available from Wine Direct and 1 branch.
15/10/2008

_________________
mel