2018 Wolf Blass Sapphire Label Dorrien Barossa Shiraz

Sourced from our exceptional Pedare and Medlands vineyards at Dorrien in the central heart of the Barossa Valley. A largely flat area at an altitude of around 260m, with gentle undulations sloping towards the North Para River, Dorrien is geologically stable, predominantly shaped by the flow of the central river over time. The vines are planted in ancient sedimentary soils over 5 million years old, made up of sandy loams over light to medium clays. With a relatively low annual rainfall of around 470mm, low humidity, and optimum sunlight, Dorrien benefits from cooling breezes flowing down-river from the foothills. Together these natural conditions produce elegant, balanced Shiraz, with a purity of fruit and fine, structural tannins.

Harvested at optimum maturity, fruit from each block was crushed separately and fermented in small open fermenters. A mix of gentle plunging and pumping over was used to optimise flavour, colour and tannin extraction, giving a rich concentration and depth of fruit while retaining plush, supple tannins. The wines were left on skins until dry to lengthen tannins and enhance palate line and finish