Henschke The Wheelwright Eden Valley Shiraz 2019

A mild and dry winter was followed by a dry and windy spring with some frost events disrupting bud burst. Hot temperatures in the summer led to the advancement of maturity and early onset of harvest. This warm weather also maintained low disease pressure, providing optimal ripening conditions. Despite small yields, 2019 was a high-quality vintage that produced wines with good structure and excellent flavour intensity.

The grapes were destemmed and lightly crushed into small, concrete, open-top fermenters. A submerged cap was used to manage a slow tannin extraction. The fermentations were controlled, with pump-overs performed twice daily. After 7-10 days and just before reaching dryness, the must was gently pressed to the barrel, with the primary fermentation finishing in 80% French and 20% American oak (10% new and 90% seasoned) hogshead barrels. The wine was matured in a barrel for 18 months before blending and bottling.