Scarlet Runner Shiraz 2017
Tasting Notes
Scarlet Runner is a lovely regional style of Shiraz – chocolate and spice and dark fruits on the nose and a palate with balance and length. A match made in heaven with steak. Easy as.
Vintage
We had terrific winter and spring rains leading up to vintage 2017, a marked contrast to the previous year, proving once again if proof were needed, that every vintage is different. We had a cool early part to spring too, combined with the spring rain. Flowering was about 3 weeks later than the previous year which of course meant that vintage was 3 weeks later than normal, or as some old locals said sagely, back to the old normal. There was a very long and slow ripening period which is terrific for allowing grapes to develop their flavours. We had a pretty dry February March and April, once the spring rains finished in mid-January. Overall a late vintage with some incredibly promising reds and outstanding whites.
Winemaking
Old fashioned winemaking methods are in order with this wine, nothing fancy. We want to make a generous McLaren Vale shiraz without too much oak. We pick on flavour and sugar ripeness, and then crush and ferment the grapes in small open vessels which look a bit like big buckets. Some of the Shiraz is fermented in stainless steel tanks too. New oak barrels are few and far between, we want the pristine Vale shiraz to shine through. The wine is bottled by the end of its vintage year.
Other Vintages
Technical Details
Picking Date: 17th March- 7th April 2017
Alc/Vol: 14.5%
Bottling Date: 20th November 2018