Shingleback D Block Reserve Shiraz 2004 Tasting Note.pdf

In a small niche of the Davey Family Vineyard the soil, climate and Shiraz variety combine to create something special: the fruit that is ultimately hand crafted to become D Block Reserve Shiraz. Gentle hand working of the skins in small, 5 tonne open fermenters and traditional winemaking practices protect and nurture the unique qualities of the terroir. Very fine grained American and French oak hogsheads are used to allow a long, slow maturation of the wine and subtle oak integration. A combination of new and one year old barrels, crafted by select coopers to our requirements, are used to create nuances and diversity of flavour. When maturation and oak integration are perfect, individual barrels are selected and blended to create the fruit power, complexity and harmonious balance that is D Block Reserve Shiraz.

DAVEY FAMILY VINEYARD The Davey Family Vineyard is located in the Willunga Basin at the southern end of the acclaimed McLaren Vale Wine Region. Brothers John and Kym Davey planted the vineyard on land that the family has owned since 1959. The site is dedicated to producing high-quality, intensely coloured and flavoured grapes through innovative canopy management and progressive farming techniques, including a moveable wire trellis system; hand-pruning; precise deficit irrigation and integrated pest management. Rows are planted north to south to capture maximum sunlight.

The 2004 growing season was climatically normal, with good spring growth and a long, dry Autumn. Ripening was slightly later than usual, with whites being picked in mid-March and reds in late March to late April. If there is one word to describe the 2004 vintage, it's fruitful. Although it's common to thin fruit from young vines, in the 2004 growing season one third of the crop was removed from even the oldest vines, just prior to veraison. The end result was small berries with intense fruit flavours which will rival the outstanding 2002 vintage.

In a small niche of the Davey Estate Vineyard the soil, climate & Shiraz combine to create something special; the fruit that is ultimately hand crafted to become D Block Reserve Shiraz.