Spinifex Rostein Shiraz 2018

Description

Although this is the first release of this label, Pete Schell has been working with Rostein Shiraz fruit since the 2015 harvest. The 2018 harvest was the first where he felt he understood enough about the site and had the quality of vintage to really go for it. It was hand-picked over 10 days, then fully de-stemmed and fermented wild in both oak and stainless steel fermenters. Prior to pressing, the wine spent two weeks on skins. Aging lasted 18 months, on light lees in barriques and demi-muids.

Schell worked with 50% new oak–the upper end for Spinifex’s oak regime–and yet the density of Rostein’s fruit has absorbed this like a sponge. It is simply brilliant. Pete Schell describes Rostein Shiraz as naturally having “…powerful, dark, savoury fruit and strong compact tannin.” Nick Stock’s review really captures that and describes the wine very well. It’s somehow deep and powerful and yet also fine and incredibly digestible. That elusive iron first in a velvet glove–one of the very definitions of greatness. Despite the depth and intensity, “delicious” was a word that kept coming up as the bottle disappeared. We were reminded of a top-notch Northern Rhone Syrah in its weight and complexity as we struggled for comparisons–think of a really refined Cornas and you’ll be getting close. The flavours are knock-out: dark cherry, amaro, rose, anise, also something bloody and ferrous and that super-classy oak. The tannins are there, but they are very fine. The wine disappears almost as quickly as it can be poured. People, we have something very special here.

98 points, Nick Stock, Top 100 Wines of Australia 2020, Jamessuckling.com “This has an assertive, red-cherry and blackberry nose with crushed stones, graphite and abundant fragrant spices, buried deep in black fruit. The palate has dense tannins and very intense, concentrated, blackberry and blood-plum flavors. Chiseled, compressed, velvety and powerful. Needs three to four years. Screw cap.” 
96 points, Tyson Stelzer, Halliday Wine Companion “First release. Hand picked, no whole bunches. Wild-yeast fermented then matured for 12 months in 50% new barriques and demi-muids. A grand newcomer for Spinifex, this is the first time this vineyard has stepped up since it was purchased in 2014. Signature Eden Valley shiraz of full purple hue, reverberating with deep-set spice, powerful blackberry and satsuma plum fruit, fresh licorice and a full serve of dark chocolate oak. Impressive concentration is consummately backed with a fine yet taut frame of intricately suspended tannins that carry the finish very long indeed.” 

95 Points, Mike Bennie, The Winefront “Flaxman Valley really feels like it’s dress circle Eden these days. Maybe always, definitely where the best wines I like drinking seem to come from now. Or at least on a small litmus test. Anyway, fancy release from Spinfex, probably long overdue really. Yep, glass stopped in the neck. Blue fruits, crushed rocks, light spice, cola, some eucalyptus, fennel and minty notes. Yum smells. Palate is lush but controlled, deeply flavoured, ripples with fine swishes of tannin and finds cool acidity underlying, minerally and freshening. A gulpable red but one that asks for attention – lots of detail here, lots to sit and pause on. Some tension in the finish too; it speaks of save some for later. A very, very good shiraz.”

RRP $137  Our Special Price $111.99 when you buy 6 of this wine.