Marsican Shiraz 2020 (Giftboxed)

Story

A cabernet sauvignon, done differently. In the late 1960s, Detective Frank Serpico famously broke ranks to expose the immense depth of corruption in the NYPD. Like its namesake, Serpico goes against the grain to produce a unique Apassimento method McLaren Vale cabernet sauvignon.

Tasting Note

A richly layered bouquet and an incredibly fine-grained palate encompass an array of dark and blood plum, dark and red cherry, black berry and cassis. The fruit spectrum intersects with complex savoury notes of charcuterie and roasting meats, dried sage, saltbush and tobacco, cedar, leather tan, coca dust, vanilla and spice. The ever-present elegance of tannin and fine graphite like textural line hold intensity, underpinning the wine's depth of flavour throughout the palate. The 2020 Marsican Shiraz is highly polished and coiled, foretelling of the long like ahead.

Winemaking

Made by individually selecting the best barrels from our finest parcels of Shiraz, the 2020 Marsican was blended from 100% new French oak hogshead barrels of Lot 11 Vineyard Shiraz. Destemmed and crushed, fermented in 2 tonne open top fermenters with twice daily pump overs. Temperatures were kept cool, between 20 and 24˚C, to retain the elegant tannin structure and aromatic purity of the fruit. Matured in barrel for 20 months with natural malolactic fermentation occurring during this time. The final blend was clarified by racking only and bottled without fining or filtration 

Vineyard

Lopresti Lot 11 – Flour Mill Road, Whites Valley.

Located directly opposite the original ‘Home’ block in the tightly held sub-district of Whites Valley, less than 4km from the coastline. Characterised by black Biscay clay with distinct limestone deposits throughout, atop Ngaltinga Formation. The Biscay clay promotes strong growth in spring but dries out and cracks in summer, releasing excess moisture and pulling back vine vigour approaching veraison, producing powerfully concentrated fruit. Whilst the limestone element imposes finesse and a balanced acidity. The coastal location allows sea breezes to mediate daytime heat during the critical ripening period.

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