VINEYARD :

 Vineyards from several sections of Heathcote were selected from Corop,

Chinamans Bend and Colbinabbin.

 The ancient red Cambrian soils of Northern Heathcote

are ideal for dark fruited, plump red wines like Woodfired Shiraz.

TASTING NOTES :

 This Woodfired Shiraz has deep red flavours with purple edge.

Plump, dark fruits, fennel and olive spice, dark chocolate.

 Soft, rich, plump, balanced tannin, cured meats,

wild spice, authentically Heathcote.

WINEMAKING :

 Destemmed and fermented at 25-30?°C over 6-8 days.

 Pressed and matured in vats and casks for 8 months.

Racked and aerated regularly to soften the wine.

 Vineyards carefully selected for a balance of fruit weight and ripeness.

WINE ANALYSIS :

 Alc/Vol: 14.5% pH: 3.69 TA: 6.1g/L

CELLARING :

 This Woodfired Shiraz is lovely for drinking now and

will be delicious in 3-5 years in a good cellar.

FOOD RECOMMENDATION :

 The Woodfired Shiraz is best matched with chargrilled lamb racks,

or Woodfired napolentana pizza.

AWARDS :

 2019 Riverina Open Wine Show - Trophy
2020 China Wine and Spirits Awards - Gold Medal
2020 The Asian Syrah Masters - Gold Medal
2020 The Berliner Wine Trophy - Gold Medal
2019 Riverina Open Wine Show - Gold Medal
2020 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Wine and Spirits Competition - Silver Medal
2020 The Drinks Business - The Global Syrah Masters - Silver Medal
2020 UK International Wine & Spirits Competition (IWSC) - Silver Medal
2020 UK International Wine challenge - Silver Medal
2019 AWC Vienna International Wine Challenge - Silver Medal
2019 Cowra Wine Show - Silver Medal
2019 Drinks Business Global Syrah Masters - Silver Medal
2019 Heathcote Wine Show - Silver Medal
2019 International Wine & Spirit Competition - Bronze Medal

REVIEWS :

 I first drove up through Northern Heathcote 20 years ago,

when people were just beginning to plant Shiraz in

the deep red soils on an east-facing slope of Mount Camel Range.

 Now that slope is home to dozens of Vineyards,

including a large one belonging to De Bortoli.

 The warm conditions in this part of the world are perfect for growing fully-ripe,

flavour-packed Shiraz grapes and Steve Webber and the winemaking team at

De Bortoli have done everything they can ?€“ including splashing

the wine around from barrel to barrel to aerate it during

its maturation and before bottling ?€“

to soften the edges and make it supple and

ready to drink as soon as it’s released.

Preferably ?€“ as the name suggests ?€“

with something succulent cooked on a woodfired grill.

 Max Allen, Degustation for Dignity, Oct 2019.

 “De Bortoli’s Woodfired Shiraz 2018 is a plush and rich Heathcote style.

It’s weighty and bold showing vanillin and spice

from six to eight months on oak with powerful mulberry,

blackberry and baked earth fruits.

It’s complex, rich, ripe and juicy on the palate ?€“

with layers of sweet berry fruits with a touch

of classic stony complexity and supple tannins.

Delicious now it has the power and structure

to drink well over the next three to five years.”

 Angus Hughson, Drinks Trade, Oct 2019.