Winemaker's Comments

Sourced from the famous (and slightly controversially named) Cote d’Or vineyard in central Pokolbin. The vineyard lies at almost 200 metres above sea level, on a steep northerly aspect of the ridge directly south of the Audrey Wilkinson Oakdale property. Cote d'Or was one of the first vineyards established by the Wilkinson family in 1866 by Alfred Wilkinson and his son Frederick (Audrey’s father). It was the fraternal home until the death of Alfred just before WW1. The original vineyard has long been pulled out, but seven acres were replanted on this ridge in 1971. The vineyard is dry-grown on relatively deep brown loamy soil, and scattered with permian fossils.

We are very pleased to see the return of The Cote Shiraz, after a couple of very challenging vintages for this particular vineyard. The 2020 vintage was unfortunately decimated by smoke and was not even harvested. The cooler/wetter 2021 vintage conditions made it difficult to achieve ideal/perfect ripeness in the vineyard and we decided the wine did not meet our quality standards to bottle as a single vineyard wine.

The significantly lower crop level/yields of the 2022 vintage contributed to a much better result. The fruit was handpicked on 19th February, destemmed (but not crushed), and then cold soaked for 24 hours. After a further eight days of fermentation on skins, the wine was pressed off to premium French oak (300L) hogsheads for maturation. No new oak was used for the 2022 vintage Cote, rather 75% of the barrels were second use (1 year old) and 25% fourth use (3 years old) which has provided a very subtle oak structural complexity to the wine.

"Good depth of purplish colour. The nose has blackberry jam, mocha, meaty richness and a dab of fennel in appealing harmony. It follows through rich and quite full for young Hunter shiraz, with good carry and length to a savoury, grainy tannin finish"
94 Points - Ralph Kyte-Powell therealreview.com

Tasting Notes

Bright medium purple colour with an initially delicate nose that opens to notes of fresh plums, dark berries with suggestions of red petals, five spice and sun-baked earth.
There is an inviting medium-bodied palate with quite a savoury texture from fine, round tannin. Notes of morello cherry, damson plum and blackberry with clove, black pepper and dutch licorice are interlaced with hints of tea smoke and Chambord liqueur. The finish is long and fresh with a composed elegance.

Bottled - 28th June 2023
Production - 279 dozen
Released - 18th May 2024
ABV - 13.5%