THE WINE

Planted in the year 2000 on 500-million-year-old Cambrian soil, Whitebox estate-vineyard delivers wines of great complexity. The wine shows concentrated blackberry & black plum flavours coupled with floral violet notes and a hint of white pepper & graphite. The palate is plush and generous with a firm-tannin finish.

Like our previous vintages, the 2021 Whitebox Heathcote Shiraz will benefit from further bottle maturation.

GRAPE VARIETY

Shiraz

OAK MATURATION

Portion in small French and American oak barrels 6 - 18 months

+

Portion in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks

ALCOHOL

15.3%

CLOSURE

Screwcap

VINEYARDS

The fruit for this wine was sourced from our family-owned Heathcote vineyards at the base of the Mount Camel Range.

VINTAGE

The 2021 vintage in Heathcote, Victoria, saw mild, cool weather, resulting in high-quality grapes. Winter rains and a mild Spring led to a later harvest with perfectly-ripened fruit. Average to slightly above-average yields produced wines, particularly Shiraz, that are vibrant, well-structured, and suitable for aging. Overall, 2021 is considered an excellent vintage for Heathcote.

WINEMAKING

Each distinct parcel of grapes was fermented separately, using either traditional small open fermenters with plunging or large closed fermenters. Varying levels of maceration were applied to enhance complexity and provide a wide range of flavours and textures to the final blend. This was followed by malo-lactic fermentation and maturation in a combination of new and old French & American oak barrels, as well as temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks, for periods ranging from six to eighteen months depending on the wine's structure, before the final blending.

SERVE WITH

Rich braised ox cheek, rare roast beef with pepper sauce, smoked brisket, roasted root vegetables with garlic and rosemary or strongly flavoured cheeses.