The journey takes winemaker Damien North to Colbinabbin in Heathcote for this inaugural Shiraz. Once again, the end result impresses. This is fast becoming a label to watch. Indigenous yeasts, 33% new French barriques and 20% whole bunch. Thoroughly regional, it makes the most of a terrific vintage.
Vivid purple and black fruits with a little gum leaf. Those whole bunches lift the perfume and add a savoury dimension to sweet berry and plum flavours. A suggestion of chargrilled meats with the back-palate concentrating on dark chocolate and a touch of flint. Lovely layered tannins – some powdery, some grainy and some slightly stalky. A hint of saline minerality. Intense but not at all heavy. No alcohol heat that I can discern. Notable extension. Hard to fault. 92
Region: Heathcote
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Price: $40
Tasted: January 2014