Stonehouse Neldner Vineyard Old Vines Shiraz 2023

The vines providing the fruit for this Barossa gem are from the Neldner Family Contour Vineyard, which was planted back in the 1950s. 18% whole bunches used in the ferment, the remainder whole berries. After twelve days, basket pressing into a mix of American and French oak, 15% of which was new. These vessels were then home to the wine for the next year and a half for maturation. Under Diam. The colour is near opaque black with a magenta rim. This is big, bold and wonderfully chocolatey. A classic Barossa Valley Shiraz – plush, generous and approachable. There is good use of oak, providing attractive vanillin notes, along with typical aromas of mocha, coffee beans, leather, blackberries and cocoa powder. There is good focus and density, but the balance is so well defined that the wine seems to dance. Fine tannins, cushiony and abundant, the wine has serious length, and exhibits pleasing freshness and juiciness. It will provide pleasure for ten to twenty years. Love it.