2016 Rolf Binder Heinrich SMG

The 2015/16 growing season started in the middle of a dry year in the Barossa. Rainfall was down and the resulting drier soils, combined with a warmer than average spring and early summer meant the vines got away at a cracking pace. January was less extreme than in previous years but without rain for most of the month, the grapes kept ripening quickly. Up to 30mm of rain fell in the last days of January, providing welcome refreshment for vines. Despite the challenges of the dry season, most vineyards ripened evenly and completely. The result overall was good but lower yields, with great flavours and colours (in reds) and surprisingly good natural acids.

THE VINEYARDS:

Fruit for this wine is sourced from various Binder Estate vineyards in different areas of the Barossa. The major component, Shiraz, is a vineyard seleciton, including some fruit from Eden Valley. The Grenache is grown on the Western Ridge and the Mataro is from dry grown, bush vines planted in the 1880s (the Pressings of which are used in our Bull’s Blood wine).

THE WINEMAKING:

Fruit parcels were separately crushed, fermented and aged until final blending and bottling. Vinification occurs in open fermenters with pump overs twice daily. The fermentation was completed in tank, the wines were then racked to barrel. Oak used for the Shiraz was 15% new oak, 45% shaven American and 40% two year old American. For the Grenache, 60% shaven French, 20% shaven American and 30% two year old French. The Mataro was aged in 100% new American oak puncheons. The wine was blended to taste and style, utilising the body and strength of the Shiraz (64%), the ripe confectionary fruit of the Grenache (19%) and the fine earthy tannins of the old vine Mataro (17%).