2014 Escalier Shiraz
$150.00
“..hedonistic complexity..”
The 2014 is only the second vintage of our flagship wine, Escalier. We did not expect to make another vintage so soon, but we were dealt another great vintage and the 2014 is a worthy and fitting successor.
Escalier (meaning staircase) represents our continuous quest for improvement; a gradual yet unrelenting ascent, culminating at the pinnacle with our flagship wine. This first release of Escalier Shiraz has clearly made a name for itself amongst the top echelon of Australian wine.
- Vintage: 2014
- Variety: 98% Shiraz, 2% Viognier
- Alcohol:13.9%
- Region: Hilltops
- Bottle Size: 750ml
- Country: Australia
- Case Size: 3
Awards
Vintage 2015 (soon to be released)
- 97 Points – James Halliday
Vintage 2014
- 97 Points – Sam Kim, Wine Orbit
- 96 Points – James Halliday
- GOLD – Great Australian Shiraz Challenge 2017
- GOLD – National Cool Climate Wine Show 2016
- GOLD – Rutherglen Wine Show 2016
- GOLD – National Single Vineyard Wine Show 2015
- GOLD – Royal Melbourne Wine Awards 2015
- GOLD – NSW Wine Awards 2015
- GOLD – Wine Showcase Magazine 2018
Vintage 2013
- 98 Points – James Halliday
- TROPHY – Best Shiraz Cowra Wine Show 2014
- TROPHY – Best Dry Red Cowra Wine Show 2014
- GOLD – Perth Royal Wine Show 2014
- GOLD – New Zealand International Wine Show 2014
- GOLD – NSW Wine Awards 2014
- GOLD – Great Australian Shiraz Challenge 2014
- GOLD – Sydney International Wine Show 2014
- DOUBLE GOLD – Melbourne International Wine Competition 2014
- GOLD – 2014 Cowra Wine Show
- GOLD – Royal Adelaide Wine Show 2015
- GOLD – Australian Small Winemakers 2015
- GOLD – London International Wine & Spirit Comp 2015
- DOUBLE GOLD – Melbourne International Wine Competition 2015
- GOLD – Riverina Wine Show 2017
Technical & Tasting Notes
VITICULTURE
Single block; sourced entirely from block 8. Old vine, low yield, hand picked. A cool to moderate spring was followed by a hot start to summer that accelerated ripening. A cool change in the last three weeks before harvest extended the ripening period, producing additional depth and power.
WINE MAKING
35% whole bunch, cold soaked for 3 days prior to fermentation. Temperature controlled ferment over 14 days, the shiraz and viognier were co fermented. The wine was then barrel aged in new and used French puncheons and hogsheads for 14 months.
TASTING NOTES
A nose of vibrant black fruit is really complex with evolving notes of brambly fruits, graphite, pepper and spice. The palate is deceptive; incredibly smooth and refined yet packed with flavour. Layered with sweet black fruits, dark chocolate and spice box. This is super intense yet highly polished, finely focused and exceptionally long. Low production, limited availability.
Reviews
Vintage 2015 (soon to be released)
“..It is a wine of considerable quality, its dark plum/blackberry fruits established their dominance from the outset, not wavering on the palate, finish or aftertaste.” – James Halliday
“..It’s silken, slight, subtle and lithe; there’s a beguiling subtlety to the wine, yet it also manifests itself in a depth and intensity of flavour. Cloven spice and black pepper, yet augmented with black fruit. It’s a wine of depth, subtlety and balance.” Stuart Robinson, Vinsomniac
“.. berry fruit and tobacco leaf.. intense plum.. maraschino cherry, licorice, dark chocolate mocha oak and savoury tannins.” John Lewis, Newcastle Herald
Vintage 2014
“This is flatteringly classy; the gorgeous bouquet shows dark fruit, game, cedar, cocoa, violet and black olive characters, followed by a concentrated palate that is superbly fruited and multi-layered. The wine is dramatic and engaging with hedonistic complexity and sensual mouthfeel, leading to an extremely long, velvety finish.” Sam Kim, Wine Orbit
“..a wow factor that cannot be ignored… deep in fruit it seems to have more energy.. an elegant wine with a sense of latent power, a bright savoury sheen and a smooth ebb and flow across the palate.” – Dave Brooks
Vintage 2013
“This is an exceptional shiraz, its greatest assets balance and extreme length. The colour is good, the plum and blackberry fruits with a juicy intensity, the tannins lined up in respectful support, the high quality oak having done its job to perfection.” James Halliday 98 points
