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Joshua Cooper

2017

‘The Springs’

Syrah   |   Heathcote - Australia
Shelf Talker Spec Sheet Wine Label Bottle Image

About

The Springs block is located on the historic Merindoc property. Now home to some small vineyard parcels the land was previously used solely for grazing, with sheep roaming the rolling hills amongst magnificent granite boulders and outcrops. The vineyard is situated just outside the township of Tooborac, at the Southern end of the Heathcote region at around 1,200 feet altitude, the Macedon Ranges GI begins just a few miles South. This site, planted by the Shelmerdine family in 1995, is in many ways the ‘anti-Heathcote’ with cooler Southerly location and granite and ironstone soils (opposed to pre-Cambrian limestone) ideal for production of fine, bright and aromatic Syrah.

Once hand harvested, and sorted in the vineyard, the whole-clusters are transferred fully intact to a single wooden open vat for fermentation. Foot treading is carried out occasionally and pressing occurs after around a month on skins. The wine is then racked to old French demi-muid for aging. After 14 months the wine was racked to stainless-steel for further aging on the fine lees along with a small addition of sulfur. After four months the wine was bottled without fining or filtration.

Stats

  • Grapes: 100% Syrah
  • Vineyard: Merindoc Vineyard - The Springs Block
  • Vine Age: 21-years-old
  • Soil Type: Ironstone riddled granitic loam over hardened granite
  • Viticulture: Certified Organic
  • Fermentation: Native – 100% whole-cluster in an open top old French oak vat
  • Skin Contact: 4 weeks
  • Aging: 14 months in seasoned 500L Lauren French demi-muid followed by 4 months in stainless-steel
  • Total SO2: 28 ppm
  • Total Production: 180 cases

Tasting Note

Very deep ruby with a dark red hue. The nose is alive with whole-bunchyness in the best way. Fragrant red fruit aromas littered with clove, smoky cedar, dried herbs and spice flowing out of the glass, darker fruits emerge slowly. Light in body but not in intensity, it is elegant and fresh, crunchy red cherry, red liquorice and a dash of sour cherry flavors intermix with clove, dried herbs and subtle spice. Lively acidity and fine grained tannins lead into a dryish finish that shows good length.

Press & Reviews

James Suckling

93

"A wild, ripe yet tart wine with plenty of meaty and spicy complexity, cast across plums and chocolate. The dark fruit holds central on the palate with smooth, juicy plums that turn drier and fragrant at the finish. Drink or hold."

- Nick Stock

Vinous

93

"Glass-staining violet. A highly perfumed bouquet evokes ripe, mineral-accented red and blue fruits, candied flowers and baking spices. Concentrated but lively as well, offering alluringly sweet black raspberry, blueberry and fruitcake flavors braced by a spine of juicy acidity. Shows fine clarity and spicy thrust on the impressively long finish, which strongly echoes the blue fruit and floral notes."

- Josh Raynolds

Producer


Joshua Cooper

Region


Heathcote

Country


Australia

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