Grapes for the Luddite Shiraz 2019 were sourced from Luddite vineyard sites: Young Block - picked on 13 February 2019 and Old Block - picked on the 13 February 2019. Due to the continued drought, the crop was even smaller than 2018. Hot, dry conditions resulted in smaller berries which in turn made the crop even smaller (1.6 tons per ha). Because of the small crop, both blocks were picked together and fitted into one tank for fermentation. Due to the high skin to juice ratio, incredible colour was achieved within a few days of fermentation. Malolactic fermentation was allowed to finish while on skins which gave extra post-fermentation maceration and a chance for the wine to pick up really fine tannins. They pressed and went directly to barrel, 100% French oak of which 15% was new. After 2 years in barrel, they made up the final blend using a small amount of Mourvèdre and Cabernet Sauvignon from their own vineyards to fill out the mid-palate. 5,800 bottles were produced. Bottled at 14.5%. (Bottle size 750ml)

Nose: Black cherries, welcoming spice and a touch of toastiness opening up to plummy dark fruit.

Palate: Juicy fruit and spice on entry. A mouth-filling plumpness of dark fruit gives way to dry spices and tannin which balance the fruit beautifully.

Finish: Long, dry and savoury with underlying cinnamon stick sweetness.

#LUDDITE #REDWINE