Moppa Shiraz

2021 Spinifex Moppa Shiraz

Vinification:

Hand harvested fruit was chilled overnight prior to partial destemming, placed in open stainless steel and oak fermenters (with around 30 % of bunch kept entire) for between 10 and 24 days.  Fermentations were undertaken with indigenous yeasts and were matured on light lees until racking and blending 20 months after harvest. Components were matured in thick staved French oak puncheons, demi muids and barriques, with about 40% being new.

Growing Season:

In the extreme northwest corner of the Barossa Valley is a small, old vineyard planting of Shiraz, Grenache and Mataro.  Planted sometime in the 1940’s or 50’s, its owned and cared for by an older Batchelor who has grown up on the block – it’s been managed organically for around 40 years. Whilst the 2021 is only the sixth Shiraz wine selection that we’ve bottled as a single vineyard, we’ve made wine from the vineyard since 2005. The 2021 growing season and vintage conditions were close to historical averages. Solid winter and spring rains were a great start to the season but uneven weather through spring negatively affected flowering. The weather approaching and during the harvest was generally mild, dry, and without tribulation.

Tasting Notes:

A dark, broody and exotically spiced Barossa Valley Shiraz.    Aromatically complex, high toned pepper, vermouth herbs, iodine,  liquored cherry and blackberry fruits overlay delicate peat smoke, sandalwood, cinnamon,  star anise spice and deeper wood ash and warm leather notes.

Still very primary.  Full yet compact palate, strong tart dark plum and blackberry fruits on attack turn to deeper and earthier cassis and plum fruit, black tea, brown woody spices and bitter chocolate.  Fresh dark fruit acids and tight, fine, slatey tannins drive a fresh finish.

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2018 Tasting Notes

Single Vineyard Barossa Valley Shiraz

In the extreme north west corner of the Barossa Valley is a small, old vineyard planting of Shiraz, Grenache and Mataro.  Planted sometime in the 1940’s or 50’s, its owned and cared for by an older Bachelor who has grown up on the block – its been managed organically for around 40 years.   Whilst the 2018 is only the fourth Shiraz wine selection that we’ve bottled as a single vineyard, we’ve made wine from the vineyard since 2005.

Hand harvested as two parcels over a five day period, fermented with 30 % whole bunches in both wood and stainless steel fermenters for 10 and 18 days respectfully.    Both primary / alcoholic and malo-lactic fermentaions occurred spontaneously and young wines were kept on light lees until racking and blending 20 months after harvest.   Elevage was undertaken in demi-muids and barriques 20 % new, all French.

Deep, dark ruby

A perfumed, dark and exotically spiced Barossa Valley Shiraz.    Aromatically complex,  high toned  liquored cherry, ripe mullberry and Crème de Cassis fruit aromas overlay sandalwood, cardamom,  star anise spice and deeper wood ash and leather notes.   Intriguing and deep.

Fresh, medium weight Shiraz, still very primary.  Bright nervy red and black berry fruits, ink and cedar on attack turn to darker, plummy fruit and black tea flavours, pomegranate like acids and lightly ferrous tannins.

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2016 Tasting Notes

This 3.5-acre vineyard, located in the “Moppa” sub-region, an elevated zone in the north-western reaches of the Barossa Valley, has been a source of exceptional Shiraz, Grenache and Mataro for Spinifex since 2005. “The grower is a very reserved gentleman,” “understated and modest. But of all the growers that we purchase fruit from, he’s the one who takes the greatest pride in delivering a hand-picked bin of grapes in as perfect condition as possible”. Although the exact age of the vineyard is unknown, it is thought to be at least 90 years old. So, in 2015, when the right vintage presented itself, we did not hesitate to release a single vineyard bottling.

All fruit was hand harvested and cooled overnight; 30-40% whole bunch ferments in open stainless steel and wooden fermenters with indigenous yeasts; maturation was on light lees in a selection of thick staved 600 litre demi-muids and barriques; unfined and bottled without filtration.

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2015 Tasting Notes

100 % Shiraz

Whilst this is the first single vineyard wine we have released from this vineyard, it has been a source of exceptional Shiraz, Grenache and Mataro for Spinifex since 2005. The vineyard is located in the “Moppa”, an elevated area in the north western reaches of the Barossa Valley that sits within the triangle bounded By Greenock, Kalimna and Koonunga Hill. Discussions with old grape growers in the front bars of the local taverns are pretty consistent in revealing Moppa as a traditional and consistent source of Grange over the years. The exact age of the vines is indeterminable, pretty close to 90 is a conservative estimate. The grower is a very reserved gentleman, understated and modest, but of all the growers from whom we purchase fruit, the one who takes the greatest pride in delivering a hand-picked bin of grapes in as perfect condition as possible. From a good vintage, and when handled well in the winery, the Shiraz from this vineyard has everything that Barossa Shiraz has to offer delivered on a supple, elegant frame.

In 2015 we selected 100 cases from the old 3.5 acre vineyard. Vinification was kept relatively simple. All fruit was hand harvested and cooled overnight. Around 30-40% of bunches were retained and fermented as whole clusters, the balance were destemmed. Fermentations are undertaken in small open stainless steel and wooden fermenters with indigenous yeasts. Maceration times were generally between 8-14 days. Elevage on light lees was undertaken in a selection of thick staved 600 L demi muids and barriques. Unfined and bottled without filtration