Schild Estate Barossa Valley Shiraz 2017
Schild Estate Wines are created with an authenticity and passion that comes from generations of a family who have made their home in the Southern Barossa.
The Vineyard
This wine comes from a blend of Shiraz grapes from select parcels of vineyards including ‘Workshop’, ‘Angus Brae’, ‘Narrow Road’ and ‘Three Springs’. Angus Brae is located in Altona between Rowland Flat and Lyndoch, named after Ed Schild’s grandson (Michael’s eldest). Narrow Road Vineyard sits high on the hills behind the township of Rowland Flat, adjacent to the original Schild homestead that was purchased and settle by Ben and Alma Schild in 1952. Three Springs Farm is also close to the original family Estate. At 380m above sea level these are traditionally much lower yielding than those planted on the Barossa floor meaning the fruit produced is often of a higher quality.
The Vintage
Decent amounts of replenishing winter and spring rain was followed by mild December and January temperatures. All of this ensured favourable ripening conditions, a measured pace to proceedings and a later start to harvest than recently seen. As a result, the balanced development of sugar and flavours in the fruit along with the retention of natural grape acid were the order of the day and ensured the resulting red wines from the region in 2017 look layered and pretty.
Technical Notes
This wine is fermented in stainless steel open fermenters before undergoing secondary malolactic fermentation in new and seasoned oak hogsheads. There is a focus on minimal handling and the use of oak for structural framing rather than imparting significant oak flavour. The wine is matured for 12-14 months in barrel before usually undergoing a light filtration and fining if deemed appropriate prior to bottling.
Tasting Notes
Dark ruby, with purple, black hues. Notes of black fruited plums and mulberries sit alongside glimpses of more red fruited cranberry and goji berries. Controlled and tight. Slippery dark plum and blackcurrant fruit flavours show early on the palate and are supported by more subtle glimpse of chocolate and cocoa. The fruit remains present throughout and rolls out to the back end of the pallet encapsulated along the way by a super fine tannin structure leaving a feeling of control to the wine