2006 Grant Burge Filsell Shiraz

James Halliday
"93 pts ... Big, swarthy Barossa red, with strong blackberry and earth flavours, alcohol part of the mix, as are the tannins. Drink through 2016." -- 10/08

Wine Spectator
"91 pts ... Smooth as silk and rich in flavor, bursting with blueberry, plum and coffee flavors, plus a hint of nutmeg as the finish sails on enticingly. Drink now through 2017."--05/09

Winemaker's Notes
"The 2006 Filsell is a deep ruby colour with intense bouquet of plums, cherries and ripe raspberries nestled alongside rich dark chocolate and spices. The palate exhibits similar flavours of ripe raspberries, stewed plums and subtle blackberries with a hint of cinnamon spice and toasted oak. The wine is dense and complex with complimentary full rounded tannins and a velvety intensity of flavours that how excellent persistence and length. An impressive wine that is deserving of an equally impressive food match, the Filsell Shiraz is well suited to dishes such as wild rabbit pie with celeriac mash or lamb shanks with mushroom polenta."

Technical Notes
"Different batches of fruit were crushed and fermented separately. The juice reached 28°C at the start of fermentation before it was cooled to 22°C.The wine was pumped over three times a day and the skins were pressed gently before the free run and pressed wine was transferred to oak to finish fermentation. The wine was matured in new and two year old American and some French oak hogsheads for 20 months before bottling."