Shiraz, 'Margaret River'

With the climate north of the Margaret River township being ideal for producing a Rhone style red, Ashbrook planted Shiraz in 1998. The vines were trellised on a lyre system and cane pruned to promote canopy/fruit balance, uniform sunlight penetration, eliminate green characters and allow for optimum flavor and tannin ripeness. As part of Ashbrook’s desire to follow an organic grape growing approach, the vineyard is liberally composted.

Hand-picked over 2 weeks the berries are cold soaked, gently plunged and temperature controlled in 4 tonne parcels in open fermenters for gentle and full extraction. The wine is matured in 100% French oak barriques (26% new) for 2 years, then further stored in bottle for 18 months before release.

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