Josh has a distinct soft spot for the Cabernet wines produced in the 70’s and 80’s by the pioneering wineries of Central and Western Victoria, many of which seem ageless even now. The Shay’s Flat Vineyard is situated on an elevated and picturesque ridge in the heart of the Pyrenees. It’s a distinctively Australian setting with the vineyard surrounded by wheat paddocks, native bushland and scrub. The 20+ year old vines are rooted deep into mineral rich shale, quartz and mudstone soils, growing powerful, yet detailed fruit.
Once hand harvested the fruit was entirely destemmed, then partially foot crushed before transferred to open fermenters where it remained for three weeks. The must was allowed to soak until natural fermentation commenced and was then extracted with a combination pumping over, delestage and pigage before basket pressing. Elevage took place in a combination of new Stockinger 300l (30%) and seasoned thin staved Bordeaux coopered barriques for 12 months, before four months in stainless steal after assemblage. The only addition to the wine is a small dose of sulfur.