Vineyard

There are two Shiraz vineyards planted on Bloodwood; the Top Shiraz and the (ahem!) Bottom Shiraz vineyard. Although they are planted to the same clone; are exactly the same age and are both trained to Scott Henry trellis systems, they are on two different soil types. The Top Shiraz is planted on gravelly laminated siltstone at 840metres (Cote Blonde?) while the Bottom vineyard is on darker and slightly richer altered andesitic volcaniclastic conglomerate (Cote Brune?) at 810metres. The result of all this geological geomancy is that the lean top block provides the fruit and perfume while its lowly, higher yielding brother adds a neat dash of white pepper and liquorice to balance the wine in most years. We are enormously pleased to report that both vineyards contribute equally to the “sans Viognier” component of the resultant blend.

Vintage Conditions

The Weather At Bloodwood is always the same; It's Different!

Winter rainfall was 33% of the long term average and a dry Spring meant the annual rainfall was only 73% of the average. As the Orange area is a winter dominant rainfall area, we entered the growing season with moderate to severe moisture deficits. Irrigation was critical for success in season 2018. The bright spot was that we enjoyed very warm and generally stable weather through to the end of vintage. Average maximum temperatures from October to March were 0.3C warmer than season 2017. Except for a smattering of annoying hail storms and a major bushfire across the week of the 12th to 20th February causing isolated smoke taint damage, it was a rushed and straightforward disease-free affair. We enjoyed moderate yields across the board; about 20% down on 2017; a reflection of the droughty winter and spring conditions. Dry-land vineyards really suffered this year. As far as quality goes, Chardonnay in well managed vineyards was exceptional and the general consensus is that the reds, Shiraz, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon are very promising in terms of colour and depth of varietal flavour this year. Pinot Noir, although on the richer side, may be the long term surprise. Even though it was very warm and dry, I would not have liked to have been a tartaric acid salesman in Orange this vintage. pH's and T/A's were naturally wonderfully balanced across the board. It has to be a +8 vintage or better for both reds and whites.

Winemaking

As I’ve outlined elsewhere, we believe in macro oxygenation during the early fermentation process here at Bloodwood. And this wine is no exception. The top vineyard fruit was hand plunged with plenty of air in an open fermenter, whilst the bottom vineyard Shiraz was treated in the usual manner. A high proportion of whole berries are a constant in all our red ferments, and regular splash pumping over helps bring the tannins into shape early in the winemaking process. The wine spent 28 months in mostly older French oak hogsheads before sterile filtration and bottling in September 2020

pH 3.52

Acidity 6.1 g/l

Alc/Vol 14.6%

Tasting Notes

Deep purple-red in colour, the spicy plum and black cherry notes from this vineyard combine well with a touch of cocoa-infused soy and gentle sweet liquorice in the bouquet. This leads on to a perfectly balanced yet persistent mid-weight palate of cassis, spice and finely integrated French oak tannins. Medium term cellaring will only increase your enjoyment of this pure expression of cool climate Bloodwood Shiraz.

14.6 % Alc/Vol