Winery: Skillogalee

Region: Clare Valley

Variety: Shiraz

Your Wine Guy says:

Skillogalee sourced their outstanding basket pressed Shiraz from low yielding unirrigated vines. Matured for 24 months in a combination of French and American oak hogsheads it’s deep black purple colour showing in the glass. Intense aromas of rich Christmas cake, aniseed and liquorice followed by a touch of spearmint greet the nose.  Full bodied with excellent flavour concentration showing liquorice, plum, mint and spice flavours followed by some pepper characters on the back palate. Fine grained tannin structure with long aftertaste.

94 Points YWG Drink to 2019+

The winemaker says:

The fruit was vinified in open fermenters, and then gently basket-pressed to create a wine with firm but fine tannins, needing no fining.  Maturation in a combination of French and American oak hogsheads has added considerably to its balance and complexity.  The wine will cellar well for at least 10 years but, for those without that kind of patience, enjoy sooner with red meat, game or rich pasta dishes. - Skillogalee

Winery Information:

The grapes for this Shiraz were grown on low-yielding vines, on the slopes of the Skillogalee estate (about 500 metres above sea level).  The family-owned vineyard is managed in accordance with sustainable farming practice, with minimal water usage. 

Skillogalee was established in 1970 with the first wines released in 1976. The 1978 dry riesling won major trophies at the Adelaide Wine Show and the National Wine Show. The wines are produced exclusively from grapes grown on their own vineyards.

The vineyards were planted in the early 1970s with the rows planted on the contour in shallow stony soils mainly on steep eastern facing slopes. The vines are hand-pruned and the fruit is mainly hand-picked. Yields are extremely low but the vineyard produces intense flavours and aromas and deep, richly-coloured reds. - Skillogalee