2018 CLIFTON 1837 BAROSSA SHIRAZ
THE BRAND
“1837” marks the year that my ancestors first stepped onto the shores of the new land down under, Australia. They eventually settled in the Barossa ranges at the ’Clifton’ property in 1870. This wine is only produced in the best years and in very small quantities.
WINEMAKERS NOTE
This wine has an intense red colour with vivid purple hues reflecting the power of the vintage. On the nose, aromas of rich dark fruits fill the glass, supported by a hint of black pepper and winter spice. A generous palate with characters of black cherry and dark chocolate. All of this is supported by opulent, mouth filling tannins which lead to a long finish and plush mouthfeel.
VINTAGE
The 2018 growing season had all the hallmarks of a classic vintage. Consistent warm temperatures produced perfect conditions for our red varieties to ripen. This along with good winter rains and a dry harvest period resulted in wines with great depth of varietal flavours, excellent tannin structure and colour along with a long balanced finish.
WINEMAKING
The grapes were de-stemmed into fermenters. Ferments were pumped over twice daily to maximise colour, tannin and flavour extraction. Cooling is used to ensure ferments remain in the 22-25 degree celcius range which allows maximum fruit expression in the wine. Pressing occurs approximately seven days after fermentation commences and the wine is then filled to American oak to mature (14 months in 40% new American hogsheads with the balance going into 2nd and 3rd fill barrels).
REVIEWS
94 Points – Sam Kim, Wine Orbit
This is terrific; the instantly appealing bouquet shows blackberry, vanilla, warm spice and cedar characters, leading to a concentrated palate offering excellent depth and power. It’s velvety and flowing to a lengthy delicious finish.
2017 SHIRAZ
The striking deep red purple in colour. This is a rich, voluptuous wine with aromas of blackcurrant and mulberries accompanied by notes of smokey oak and hints of cloves. The palate is filled with dark fruits and chocolate backed up by taut tannins and lingering oak.
2016 Shiraz
Deep red with hints of garnet at the edge of the glass. Blackcurrant and liquorice fruit paired with subtle leaf and savoury spice on the nose. The palate is ripe and rich with balanced fruit and oak. Varietal flavours of cassis, nutmeg and plum lead to fine grained, savoury tannins.
2015 Shiraz
On release the wine is deep red with purple hues. The wine has a lifted nose of clean blackberry fruit and dried plums accompanied by dark chocolate. The palate displays sweet fruit characters dominated by ripe plums and dark chocolate. The wine is full bodied with obvious fine tannin structure and oak maturation adding texture and complexity to the wine. The wine has long persistence.
2013 Shiraz
On release the wine is deep red with purple hues. The wine has a lifted nose of clean blackberry fruit and dried plums accompanied by dark chocolate. The palate displays sweet fruit characters dominated by ripe plums and dark chocolate. The wine is full bodied with obvious fine tannin structure and oak maturation adding texture and complexity to the wine. The wine has long persistence.
2010 Shiraz
1837’ from the 2010 vintage displays a deep red / purple colour, the nose is very lifted and spicy with layers of dark chocolate, mocha and Christmas cake. The palate is rich and full bodied with blackberries, cassis and mocha oak notes which characterise this intensely flavoured Barossa Shiraz. The wine is mouth filling and satisfying with its creamy texture and fine silky tannins. The wine has great length with lingering flavours of blackberry fruit and well integrated oak.