Carrodus Shiraz 2018

Located in the Yarra Valley, east of Melbourne in the state of Victoria, the Yarra Yering vineyard benefits from a cool climate tempered by the altitude and the influence of the surrounding hills. Planted on predominantly gravelly and clay-loam soils, with excellent drainage, the estate occupies one of the region's historic areas, near Gruyere. The vineyard's exposure and moderate temperatures allow for a slow and complete ripening of the grapes, resulting in wines of great finesse, marked by the elegance and aromatic complexity characteristic of this Australian terroir.

The Shiraz grapes are hand-harvested, carefully sorted, and destemmed before fermentation in small, open vats, with manual punch-downs to gently extract color and tannins. Malolactic fermentation then takes place in barrels. Aging continues in oak barrels, primarily French, including a proportion of new oak, to refine the structure, add aromatic complexity, and harmoniously integrate the oak before bottling at the estate.

This wine reveals notes of blackberry , black plum , and black cherry , complemented by floral touches of violet and peony , as well as spicy nuances of black pepper and licorice . Woody accents of cedar and toasted oak mingle with a subtle smoky dimension. On the palate, the texture is ample and silky, supported by fresh acidity, fine yet structured tannins, and a long, lingering finish that leaves an impression of precision and balance.

Australia began producing wine more than two centuries ago. This has resulted in a country rich in old vines, multigenerational winemaking families, and a deep-rooted knowledge and respect for craftsmanship. Add to this a thirst for exploration and innovation, a fearless attitude, and a diverse portfolio of 65 wine regions across a wide range of climates, and you have the makings of an extraordinary wine nation. Australia burst onto the export scene in the 1980s and has since been offering the world vibrant, fruity, and exceptionally good-value wines. Until the late 1990s and early 2000s, the history of Australian wine was dominated by examples of Shiraz, Grenache, and overly concentrated red blends. Between these two extremes lies the diverse range of high-quality Australian wines and regional wines that has always existed. Australian viticulture is concentrated primarily along the southern coastline where conditions are cooler. There are four main wine regions, each centered around major cities: Western Australia around Perth, South Australia around Adelaide, Victoria around Melbourne, and New South Wales around Sydney. The country is one of the world's largest wine producers and was the fourth-largest exporter in 2011. This recent development has made Australia one of the most prominent countries for the quality of its wines. You can taste Australian wines throughout the country. Each Australian region has its own grape varieties. Australian wines are defined by their grape variety, unlike French wines, which are defined by their terroir.