Nietschke Julius Shiraz 2021

Dark magenta-black in colour. The aromatics are ripe and inviting with uplifted notes of rich fruit cake, chocolate, stewed plums, malt, cherry jam, violets and clove spice. The palate is immense. It is full-bodied with intense black fruits dominating. Beautifully meshed with the powerful fruits is notable oak adding another dimension. It is overall plush and rounded with fine tannins giving a seamless backbone of structure. The finish is extremely lengthy, completing a well-made flavoursome wine.

Growing Season Vintage 2021 has delivered wines of amazing quality. However, quantity is very limited, with it being one of the lowest grape yields ever in the Barossa at around 50% of average. Yields were dire due to a combination of early mild frost conditions, then a notably windy period (45% windier) around flowering leading to poor set (not many berries) followed by some hot days in November and an overall dry growing season (34% down). Notably, quality is of the highest echelon with rich colours and intense robust flavours VINEYARD Nietschke Nietschke Julius is sourced from select vineyards across the premier NorthWestern Barossa including the renowned Greenock sub-region. The hand-pruned vines are low-yielding and are grown in shallow, sandy loam soil over deep red clay, providing ideal conditions for quality Shiraz. WINEMAKING The grapes were harvested in numerous batches from early March to early April. Following fermentation for 7 to 14 days on skins in open top fermenters with hand pumpovers twice daily, the grapes were pressed and the wine was aged in hogshead barrels for two years. Both seasoned and new French and American oak was used.