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 and Spring Rainfall for the growing season leading up to vintage 2019 were around the median with 149 mm for the months of June, July and August and 208 mm for the calendar spring months. There was no run-off into irrigation storages and the long-term drying trend continues. After record heat in January 2019, the run-up to and through harvest was extraordinarily dry and stable. Between 1/2/2019 and 17/3/2019 we only recorded 3.8 mm of rain with temperatures 0.9C warmer than the same period for 2018.

Quality of each vintage is often determined by the stability of the ripening months, so 2019 holds above average promise for us here at Bloodwood even though yields were well down around 30% on a normal year. This is closely related to the continuing and intensifying drought we are all suffering and we give thanks for our limited access to irrigation.

It is interesting that pH and acid levels were all over the shop. Some wines analysed with higher than normal pH levels and lower than usual total acidities if moisture during ripening was an issue. Fermentation, particularly for reds was generally short and sharp without effective temperature control. Early indications are that reds are more than good. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Shiraz and Pinot Noir are all good. Chardonnay quality is a bit patchy because of the extreme heat and dryness although Riesling seems to have coped pretty well with the warmth. Winemaking skill in vintage 2019 was more important than usual.

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 2021

pH 3.62

Acidity 5.7 g/l

Alc/Vol 14.5%

Tasting Notes

Brooding dark carmine in colour, the textured blackcurrant and black cherry infused fruit from this unique vineyard shows a dusting of gentle spice and graphite in the bouquet. This leads on and on to a balanced, yet persistent mid-weight palate of ripe dark cherry fruit, fine spice and delicately integrated French oak tannins. Medium term cellaring will surely add significantly to your enjoyment of this fine Shiraz.

14.5 % Alc/Vol