Black Label 'Old Vines' Shiraz 2016

Overview

Shiraz (formerly known as “Hermitage”) is an important part of Coonawarra’s history. The acknowledged reputation of Coonawarra for age worthy wines has largely centered on Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Shiraz blends. However, the very early history (in the 1890s) centered on other varieties – particularly Shiraz.

Today Wynns is privileged to grow Shiraz on many prime locations within Coonawarra. These vineyards have stories to tell and a history of quality. We select the Black Label Shiraz from the oldest of them including the Undoolya vineyard which was planted in 1894. Wynns ‘Black Label’ Shiraz is a superb example of Coonawarra’s cool climate style.

Varietal	Shiraz
Vintage	2016
Country	Australia
Region	Coonawarra
Volume	750 mL
Closure	Screw Cap
Alc/Vol	13.6%
Peak Drinking	Now - 2036
Winemaker	Sue Hodder

Taste Description

Nose

Lifted red fruits. Perfumed and bright. Enticing

Flavours and Palate

Initially soft and creamy but the flavour builds across the palate to reveal a wine of balanced concentration. Silky tannins are a hallmark of our high pedigree, old vine Shiraz grapes. These prized vineyards reliably give us generous fruit which is stylish without heaviness. The 2016 has some milk chocolate notes attributed to the warmer vintage.

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Awards and Accolades

97 points

Andrew Caillard MW

93 points

Ned Goodwin

93 points

Campbell Mattinson

Gold	2018 Adelaide Wine Show

Silver

2018 Royal Hobart Wine Show

Bronze

2018 KPMG Sydney Royal Wine Show

Bronze

2018 Limestone Coast Wine Show

Bronze

2019 Perth Royal Wine Awards

Andrew Caillard

"Deep crimson. Impressive and beautifully made wine with intense ripe blackberry, cassis aromas, herb garden notes and vanilla oak nuances. Generous and inky with fresh blackberry, elderberry fruits, fine dense plentiful tannins and superb integrated grilled nut/ new oak complexity. Finishes long and minerally with aniseed notes. A lovely rendition of the traditional Coonawarra Claret style, even though its shiraz! Bloody good; arguably the best ever. Rare 1890s and 1920s planted vines form “the backbone” of this wine. 13.6% Alc"

Ned Goodwin

"A fascinating wine that is as much Coonawarra genetics, stamped across its sinuous tannins, as it is cool climate medium-bodied shiraz of blueberry, mulberry, lilac scents and sash of peppery acidity."

Campbell Mattinson

"It’s the best so-far release of a Wynns Black Label Shiraz, from the current era. It’s firm, well flavoured, well ripened and yet not too sweet. Cherry liqueur and raspberry, sure, but ripped with dry spice and clove-like aspects. Floral too I’d reckon. It’s fruity, savoury and pretty at once, and while there a smoky, creamy, musky component it’s well tucked into the fruit; oak here has been smartly managed. The winemaking team has done well. As a young wine you wouldn’t necessarily fuss but for the cellar; it should be the goods."

Viticulture

A very warm and dry spring led to early flowering, veraison and harvest. The warm November temperatures were ideal for good berry set necessitating extensive green harvest (thinning) for quality. The grape ripening months of February and March were influenced by a cold “upwelling” off the coast but overall, a warmer- than-average Coonawarra vintage. We describe our 2016 wines as being at the “fuller” end of our long-term Wynns Coonawarra flavour and style spectrum.