Yangarra Ironheart Shiraz 2018

Yangarra’s  combination  of  ancient  geology,  high  altitude  and Mediterranean climate provide the ideal growing conditions for the best grape varieties of the southern Rhône.

Ironheart  is  the  flagship  Shiraz  from  their single  vineyard  estate  at  the  northern  edge of McLaren Vale. The vineyard’s cooler climate and sandy ironstone soils produce Shiraz with immense concentration and finesse.

2018  was  a  textbook  growing  season,  with  good  winter  rains,  and  favourable  weather conditions during a very mild spring. We had a generally dry summer, which led to earlier expected picking dates, especially with lower than average yields.  By  the  end  of  February  and  early  March,  the  Autumnal  nights  got  quite  cool, which really slowed down the ripening process

Sourced  exclusively  from  Block  15  which  lies  amongst  a  gravelly  ironstone  outcrop  (where  the  North  Maslin  Sand  geology  comes  to  the  surface).  Hand-picked, 25% whole bunches and the remainder has been destemmed, mechanical berry  sorted  and  crushed.  Cold  Soak.  Open  Fermenters.  Plunged.  Wild  yeast  ferment.  No  pressings  are  used  in  this  wine.  Kept  on  lees  in  35%  new  French  oak,  65%  older  French  oak  for  15  months.  They  select  individual  barrels  which  showcase the characters of the ironstone that it grows in.

2017 Review below
“Hand-picked, 75% destemmed and berry-sorted, 25% whole bunches, wild-fermented, on lees in French oak (35% new) for 15 months then a barrel selection to showcase the characteristic ironstone it grows in. A magnificent wine with length to its stride and a lightness of foot.” – 99 Points & Special Value Wine James Halliday