Winemaker's Comments

The fruit for this single vineyard Shiraz is from the Ridgeview property owned by Darren and Tracey Scott, part of the Sweetwater Ridge development in the Belford area of the lower Hunter Valley. The vineyard backs onto the property from which we source the fruit for our ‘Sweetwater’ Shiraz, and not surprisingly has similar reddish loam soil, spotted with ironstone throughout.

Handpicked on the 22nd of February, the fermentation was worked solidly for a duration of seven days, before being pressed off for maturation in a combination of new, one and two-year-old premium French oak (300L) Hogsheads for 15 months. Two brand-new barrels earmarked for Elenay Shiraz were ultimately retained in this single vineyard wine.
Bottled in June 2022 and rested for 10 months in bottle prior to release in May 2023.

Only 145 dozen bottled.

Tasting Notes

From a classically medium-bodied Hunter Valley vintage, the 2021 Belford Shiraz displays a vivid purple-crimson hue. A slightly shy nose at first that opens in the glass, hinting at a savoury riverstone note alongside fresh dark berries and blue fruits with an inkling of exotic spice, woodsmoke and crème de cacao.
The medium weight palate is intense and charming with all of the classic ripe blackberry, black cherry and mulberry fruit. The structure is of smooth ripe tannin entwined with the notes of raspberry coulis, fresh espresso, hints of oolong tea and fresh black pepper.

This is a wine that has excellent length of flavour with immediate drinking appeal, but will also age gracefully and expand in complexity.

Drink 2023 - 2028+

Bottled - 30th June 2022
Released - 13th May 2023
Production - 145 Dozen
ABV - 13.5%