WILLIAMSTOWN – BAROSSA VALLEY
Reviews
91 POINTS - JENI PORT (HALLIDAY WINE COMPANION)
Destemmed fruit, fermented wild; matured 10 months in French oak (20% new). Old vines, planted 1972, are the basis for this smart young shiraz. Solid Barossa credentials here in inky, dark hues and boldness of cassis, blackberry, cinnamon, clove, anise and smokey cigar-box oak. Tannins are firm and ripe, A bold presence in the glass.
Old Vine Shiraz
Planted in 1972, these vines are officially classified as Barossa Old Vines under the charter rules. That classification is for vines 35 years or older – “Their worthiness has been proven over many vintages, consistently producing the highest quality fruit for Barossa Wines of distinction and longevity”.
The Wine
An intense and lifted wine with red fruits, violets and liquorice. The palate is medium bodied with black pepper and warm spice. Vibrant and youthful at release, it will develop further complexity with careful cellaring.
Benefits from a little time to breathe upon opening.
Drink at release or cellar 5-10 years, possibly beyond.
Suggested serving temperature 16-18C
The Winemaking
Harvested 26th February 2021.
Hand-made at CRFT Carey Gully winery.
100% Barossa Valley Shiraz, hand-picked.
The grapes were destemmed to an open-top tank for wild fermentation with a gentle hand plunge two to three times daily during active fermentation. Towards the end of primary fermentation, the wine was pressed to oak for barrel fermentation.
10 months in oak with wild malolactic fermentation followed by maturation.
100% French oak, 20% new, 20% 1 year old, 60% older oak.
Alcohol- 14.0% alc/vol
Bottled 24th January 2022. Vegan friendly.
The Vineyard
Owned and grown by Dennis and Carolyn Rohrlach with their son Matt, just out of Williamstown (Barossa Valley).
The Rohrlach Vineyard sits on the southern fringe of the Barossa Valley wine region, just a couple kilometers from the boundary of the Adelaide Hills wine region.
Elevation: 320m
Planted: 1972
Map: -34.475005,139.071367
Soil: Rich clay soil scattered with Mica and fool’s gold which makes the soil sparkle in the sunlight.