"A very good friend of mine challenged me to produce a traditional, full-bodied Barossa Valley wine with the only criteria that it could be drunk young at lunch or dinner and did not stray from my fundamental wine making philosophies. French oak, fine grained tannins, balance, clear fruit expression! Those who know me well know that I just love a good challenge!” Dean Hewitson

Sensory features: Vivid ruby. Spicy cherry, black raspberry and violet on the intensely perfumed nose. Round and fleshy but lively as well, with flavours of dark berries, allspice and white pepper spreading out nicely on the back half. Blends power and vivacity smoothly and finishes sweet and long, with smooth tannins folding quickly into the wine's juicy dark fruit.

Technical notes

Grape variety: 100% Shiraz

Soil: Ancient oxidized ferrous soil, limestone

Vinification: Combination whole bunch and crushed/on skins minimum two weeks/remontage and punchdown Aging: 16 months seasoned French oak barriques 
Vineyard: Steingarten Road vineyard
Planting system: trellised, canopy wires, north-south rows, north-facing slopes ideal in the Southern Hemisphere
Vine density: 3,000 per Ha
Farming: minimum drip irrigation, rye grass between rows, hand pruned
Harvest: Bush vine by hand and trellised by machine

Alcohol content: 14%

Bottle size: 750ml