Shiraz “Eight Uncles” 2018 – Fox Gordon

Shiraz “Eight Uncles” Fox Gordon is vinified with minimum intervention to retain the characteristics of the Adelaide Hills. Each parcel was vinified separately and the yeast used depended on the fruit character. Two main cultured yeasts were used; one for the warmer ferments and one for the cooler ferments depending on which best suited the vineyard. Shiraz “Eight Uncles” Fox Gordon was fermented for over 10 days in stainless steel, blended and racked to French oak for 12 to 15 months (80% old French 300 litre hog’s head barrels, 20% new French 500 litre puncheons). Gently filtered prior to bottling.

This wine is made from old vine fruit, which comes from the Wenzel Road ‘Saint Oaks’ vineyard, located in Balhannah, in the Adelaide Hills. It sits at 374 metres above sea level and at this elevation, the nights are cool with a constant breeze. The average daily maximum temperature is 22.9°C with a minimum temperature of 9.2°C minimum. This diurnal temperature variation encourages a gradual ripening process, resulting in concentrated fruit flavours with a lovely balancing acidity. The Shiraz vines are clone BVRC12 (1996) and are planted in 2.7 metre wide rows at a distance of 1.5 m apart.