Tasting Notes for Botobolar Organic Preservative Free Shiraz 2023 from the Winery

Ripe plum colour, this Shiraz has aromas of raspberry, cherry and tobacco complimented with some nuttiness. These flavours follow onto the palate in an enticing way and are well balance by silky tannins and vanilla spiced oak. Being medium-bodied, this wine can be enjoyed upon release, or benefit from short term cellaring.

Growing Season

2021 vintage was cooler and wetter than average in the Canowindra region. The fruit for this Shiraz experienced bud burst rather late, on the 22nd of September. This was followed by a minor frost, reducing yields in the lower lying areas of the vineyard. Cane growth for the six weeks up to flowering was optimal. Conditions for flowering due to rain tested the crop protectants, but succeeded in achieving an excellent fruit set.

Veraison occurred in early January. The ripening period was sustained, and harvest occurred on March 16th.

Winemaking

The Shiraz was crushed and de-stemmed prior to being transferred to small stainless open fermenters. The must was inoculated and fermentation took place at 24 degrees C. The cap was plunged by hand three times a day, with the wine pressed off the skins at the ¾ mark of fermentation. This decision was made in order to maximise extraction, as the vines provided large berries. Due to the dark fruit spectrum, a decision was to use a moderate amount of both French and American oak.

The use of any preservatives or animal based products was avoided during the production of this wine, with the intention being, bottling the most natural product possible.

Botobolar Vineyard

Botobolar Vineyard was established in the foothills of the Great Dividing Range north of Mudgee in 1971. Founders Gil & Vincie Wahlquist made the commitment to grow grapes organically from inception. When certification bodies were created, Botobolar was the first vineyard to be certified organic. Following onto organic growing, Botobolar was a pioneer in preservative-free wine making and has been crafting wines without added preservatives since 1984.

Technical Details

Sourced from premium organically grown fruit in Canowindra region (Central Tablelands) and handcrafted into a delicious easy drinking wine.

pH: 3.68

TA (Tartaric): 5.8g/L

RS: < 0.5g/L

Total Sulphur Dioxide: 0 mg/L

(SKU: BO_Shi_CV)