The celebrated Wendouree Shiraz derives from the estate’s original 1893 plantings, which is in all likelihood genetic material derived from the original James Busby collection.
Located on an easterly ridge towards the northern edge of the Clare Valley, the soils of the unirrigated Wendouree vineyards are shallow and meagre with red loam over limestone. The low-yielding old shiraz vines produce small berries with thick skins and a very high seed content.
Despite its reputation and heritage, there are remarkably few older bottles in circulation. This is largely explained by the way Wendouree wine was sold. Until 1974 the wines were sold in bulk and bottled and marketed by merchants. Most blended and single varietal shiraz wines were almost never seen.
The recently implemented vertical shoot positioning trellising system optimises exposure to sunlight and protects the fruit from ultraviolet light. Vinified in stainless steel lined open fermenters, and matured
in new (20%) and seasoned oak for around 12 months.
The wine typically possesses a core of blackberry, with black olive aromas, clarity and buoyancy of fruit on the palate, persistent, muscular tannins and underlying oak. This style of this shiraz has been described as an iron fist in a velvet glove.
2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2006, 2004, 2002, 1998, 1994, 1991, 1990, 1989,
1986, 1978, 1976, 1975. Not made in 2007. Bottled under screwcap since the 2009 vintage.
