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!
About this wine from the winemakers: “Crafted from our Estate vineyard, it’s a delightful, medium-bodied wine. It reveals notes of plum and vanilla. Underpinned by vibrant cranberry acidity, with a touch of slate-like tannins. The finish is beautifully juicy and elegant. Very easy to enjoy.”
Michael Downer has a way with Syrah, that much is clear. This value proposition is made with the same care and attention—and in a very similar mould—to Downer’s flagship Syrahs, Landau and Orion. The estate-grown fruit comes from an organically farmed east-facing block planted in 1998. The fruit fermented wild in open-top fermenters with 15% whole bunches lending impressive aromatic lift. Maturation took place mainly in old barriques with a small portion (15%) new—Michael Downer is seeking complexity from fruit rather than oak.
92 points, Ned Goodwin for Halliday Wine Companion “While this maker’s upper-echelon syrah, the Landau, reminds me of a top Saint-Joseph, this is an equally drinkable wine, albeit, not in the same league. Nor, of course, the same price. There is more sweetness flowing across the seams, less refined tannins and a burst of acidity. Yet there is tapenade, charcuterie and blue fruits. A smidgeon of bunchy grip, too, conferring a modicum of class.”
RRP $38 Our Special Price $31.99 when you buy 6 or more of this wine.
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