Capel Vale Whispering Hill Mt Barker Shiraz 2018

Capel Vale Whispering Hill Mt Barker Shiraz is a single vineyard wine that represents the ultimate expression of Shiraz from Capel Vale. Fleshy berry fruit aromas with lifts of florals, chocolate and pepper spice. The aromas follow through to the palate, which reveals more complex layers of mocha, tobacco and earthy truffle before leading into a generously long, soft finish.

100% Shiraz. Site and varietal selection is the result of more than 30 years of research, trial and observation of vine performance in Capel Vale’s various vineyards. The fruit comes from Capel Vale's Whispering Hill vineyard in Mount Barker, which overlooks the Porongurup Mount Ranges to the north east. Cool, windy, often overcast conditions, with very leached laterite and granite sandy soils provide the region with ideal growing conditions for Shiraz.

Subtle and careful Maturation in French oak barriques adds more layers of interest to the mid palate, followed by a generous long, soft finish.

Ageing potential: Drink now for its primary fruit characters or let it gain complexity and smoothness with cellaring until 2035.

AWARDS & ACCOLADES

- 97 points

"The Mount Barker tradition with Shiraz may not be as well known as others in Australia, but this complex, enticingly scented midweight red stakes a convincing claim to the fine-wine high ground.

It's dark but not saturatedly deep in colour; precise and enchanting floral scents and sweet spices rather than sumo-like fruit dominate the aromatic profile.

The palate brings those floral and spice notes together once again, and it's just a spoonful or two of tar and earth rather than tannin which bring complexity to the pomegranate and damson fruits. Soft, naturally articulated acidity completes the happy picture."

"An outstanding wine from this super vineyard in Mount Barker. In fact, I have to say this is the finest I have seen under this label. Heady floral notes on the nose, with spices, mocha and chocolatey notes. There’s even a hint of orange peel and thyme. The palate is generous with gravelly supporting tannins. It’s a complete wine with tremendous potential."

 - 2020 London Tranche

- 94 POINTS