2022 Spinifex Bete Noir Shiraz

An amply powered yet refined Barossa Shiraz that finishes long, savoury and peppery.

Bete Noir is a blend of old-vine Shiraz from the Barossa and Eden valleys, specifically, six different parcels from the sub-regions of Moppa, High Eden, Light Pass and the Eastern Foothills. Soils vary across the sites, from thin, skeletal sandy loams in the loftier plots to the classic sand-over-red-clay in the Moppa and Light Pass regions. Vineyard age ranges between 25 and 110 years, with “45 years being a fair average across the blend”, Schell reckons.
The proportion of whole clusters varied from “everything to nothing” depending on the vineyard, with roughly 35% in the final blend. Maturation occurred in 35% new French barrels―ranging in capacity from 225-litre to 4500-litre―for 20 months before fining without filtration.
Impenetrable pitch black heart with a deep dark red black tinged hue. Soaring out of the glass are liquorice, dark plum, black cherry and blueberry scents complimented by smoky vanillin cedar, fennel, dried clove and peppered dried meat notes. Rich and succulently fruited, the medium to full bodied palate is layered with black cherry and liquorice flavours which are framed by a sturdy yet nicely integrated tannin structure. Lending complexity across the back half are dark plum, fennel, subtlety smoked vanillin cedar and peppered meat elements. Amply powered yet refined in its feel it finishes long, savoury and peppery.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 14.5%