Description
Murdoch Hill vineyard is in the undulating hills of Oakbank in the Adelaide Hills. Planted by the Downer family in ’98 but the excitement began in 2012 when Michael (family’s youngest) took over the reins after working at esteemed wineries: Vietti in Piedmont; Bests in Great Western (initiated his Pinot Meunier fascination) & Shaw & Smith. He brought winemaking in house to have absolute control (previously outsourced to neighbouring winery) and adopted minimal intervention including wild yeasts, whole bunch ferments, extended skin contact, older wood maturation, no fining, filtration & minimal sulphur. He introduced the Artisan range of single parcel high altitude offerings sourcing fruit from vines in Lobethal, Basket Range and Uraidla high in the Piccadilly Valley …. juicy, vibrant wines that highlight the detail and freshness of each site.
Downer was a Young Guns of Wine finalist in 2014, joint winner of the ‘Winemaker’s Choice’ in 2015 and finalist again in 2016. Very compelling getting vote of approval from his peers!
The Cronberry Block is part of Murdoch Hill’s Oakbank vineyard, situated at 420 metres above sea level in the Adelaide Hills. It’s predominately an east-facing slope which avoids the harsh afternoon sun and produces Syrah of noteworthy finesse–which Michael Downer describes as, “a typical cool climate Shiraz with fragrant, perfumed red fruits, pepper and spice notes.”
This was hand-picked and de-stemmed into open fermenters with varying levels of whole bunches. The wine was matured in a combination of new (15%) and older French oak barriques and puncheons for 10 months before bottling. It’s a meaty, spicy Syrah that shows its high country, cool-climate origins. Expect loads of juicy, dark and red cherry fruit, and plenty of bay leaf, black olive and spice. There are very fine tannins as well. With far more interest than you’d expect at the price, this is yet another cracking red from this talented and multi-award-winning winemaker.
94 points, James Halliday 2021 Australian Wine Companion “… Elegant wine; red berries with spices and black pepper run through the light to medium-bodied, well balanced palate.”
91 points, Gary Walsh, The Wine Front “Old Mate at Murdoch Hill is knocking out a fair few different wines these days. Pepper, juniper and game meat, black and red cherry. Medium-bodied, plenty of spice and meaty olive-laced flavour, a nice bit of juicy cherry flavour, tight tannin, and a spicy powdery tannin finish. Feels ready to go. Nice and spicy.”
RRP $31 Our Price $24.99 – Last bottles of this vintage.
(New Vintage also available – Click here)
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