Georges THE EXILE Premium Clare Valley Shiraz 2015
This exceptional wine won Gold at the Langtons Clare Valley Regional Wine Show.
The Langtons Clare Valley Regional Wine Show kicks off each year, highlighting the best this blessed slice of sky and land has to offer – from expressive varietal Rieslings, to rich and structural reds.
The 2015 ‘The Exile’ Shiraz is fast becoming a pinnacle wine in the Georges range. Recognised by their peers within the iconic Clare region, this next Gold medal for the 2015 is equally important to the Georges Team.
Aside from his awe at the beauty of the region, Nick George purchased his first vineyard in the Clare Valley for one good reason – he believes the grape-growing conditions are arguably the best in the world.
Firmly believing that ‘good wines come from good grapes’, ‘The Exile’ is as close to home as it gets for the Georges. Made with fruit grown entirely on the home block beneath the house, funnily enough, this is one block with slightly fanciful beginnings.
When planted in 1998, the previous owner insisted that from the vantage point of the house, they wanted the luxury of looking down rows of vines. And so it was, that contrary to the majority of the estate’s vines which happily run East to West, the home block vines run North to South.
In a classic twist of fate, this orientation means the home block vines absorb less sun. As a result, it’s fruit takes longer to ripen. Ironically, what was planted as the most ornamental block today produces the highest quality Georges grapes for ‘The Exile’ Shiraz.
The 2015 Exile Experience
Grown in an area known for clay over limestone soils, the vintage was both the earliest and shortest on record, yet thanks to strong winter and last minute January rainfall, delivered above average yields and quality of grapes.
Extended time on skins developed intense colour and flavour, before gentle maturation in a mix of old and new French 300L barrels for 18 months.
A rich deep crimson and a highly perfumed nose deliver deeply intertwined black berry and spice notes.
These complex yet suggestively varietal notes carry through to the palate, which is full bodied and juicy, yet almost perplexingly well balanced. Fruit is rich and lush, offset with black pepper and those hints of spice, while silty integrated tannins steady your footing and prevent you diving headlong into the glass.
An in-house favourite. Drinking superbly now, it will reward cellaring for 5-10 years.