Tasting notes from the winery for Yangarra Ironheart Shiraz 2018

Ironheart is the flagship Shiraz from our single vineyard estate at the northern edge of McLaren Vale. The vineyard’s cooler climate and sandy ironstone soils produce Shiraz with immense concentration and finesse.

VINTAGE SUMMARY

2018 was a text book growing season, with good winter rains, and favourable weather conditions during a very mild spring. We had a generally dry summer, which led to earlier expected picking dates, especially with lower than average yields. By the end of February and early march the Autumnal nights got quite cool, which really slowed down the ripening process.

WINEMAKING

Sourced exclusively from Block 15 which lies amongst a gravelly ironstone outcrop (where the North Maslin Sand geology comes to the surface). Hand-picked, 25% whole bunches and the remainder has been destemmed, mechanical berry sorted and crushed. Cold Soak. Open Fermenters. Plunged. Wild yeast ferment. No pressings are used in this wine. Kept on lees in 35% new French oak, 65% older French oak for 15 months. We select individual barrels which showcase the characters of the ironstone that it grows in. Bottled October 2019

VARIETY

100% Shiraz

YEAR PLANTED

1999

SOIL

Ironstone gravels

GEOLOGY

North Maslin Sands (54 million years old)

BLOCK

15 1.8 hectares

ELEVATION

175M - 180M above sea level

Alcohol: 14.5%

pH: 3.54

TA: 6.7 g/L

Yield: 31 hectolitres per hectare

(SKU: YG_IShi_18)