2019 HF Sullivan’s Rockridge Estate Cellar Selection Watervale Shiraz

Rockridge Estate is the personal project of renowned Melbourne wine wholesaler, Hugh Sullivan. Fruit is sourced from the Rockridge Estate vineyard, located behind the little town of Leasingham in the Southern Clare Valley, which was first planted in 1948. The site’s rocky, steep slope features a red loam over limestone soil profile but local rumour has it the Rockridge Estate name in fact came from the name of the town in the Mel Brooks film ‘Blazing Saddles……

A big, power packed Shiraz that delivers out of this world richness at a bargain basement price.

Matured in second and third use French oak hogsheads for 12 months the Cellar Selection Shiraz is made from the vineyards best parcels of fruit. Magnificent dense inky black colour with a very deep black dark red hue. Unfurling from the glass are heady aromas of liquorice, black cherry and dark plum followed by vanillin cedar, a whiff of dark chocolate and spicy earth. Rich, thick and heavy across the palate, voluptuously textured flavours of liquorice, black cherry and blackberry are supported by a sturdy yet well integrated tannin structure. Spicy vanillin cedar, scorched earth and pepper characters lie underneath. Fantastic depth and power for the price concluding long and opulent with an underlying firmness.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 15%

97 points - Winestate Annual Shiraz Challenge