2009 Grant Burge Miamba Shiraz

James Halliday
"91 pts ... Strong purple-crimson; while only medium-bodied, the wine has good intensity and length, with black cherry and plum fruit supported by fine tannins and integrated oak. Drink through 2020." -- 08/11

Wine Spectator
"91 pts ... Dense, tangy and distinctive for its loamy earth and tobacco overtones around a core of ripe blackberry and cherry, persisting on the solid finish. Drink now through 2017."--08/11

Winemaker's Notes
"The 2009 Miamba Shiraz is vivid purple in colour. The wine displays vibrant aromas of red fruits, blueberries and sweet spices such as nutmeg and cinnamon. The palate is equally as complex with interwoven flavours of blackberries, strawberries, musk, sweet spices and white pepper, supported by a fine tannin structure, which creates a silky-smooth mouth feel. The exceptional balance of this vintage means that it can be enjoyed now or can be confidently cellared for up to 8 years."

Technical Notes
"After crushing and de-stemming, the fruit was fermented in 4, 7 and 11 tonne fermenters and pumped over 3 times daily for 8 days to extract colour and flavour as well as helping control the temperature of the ferment. Several batches of fruit were pressed directly into new American oak hogsheads and allowed to complete both fermentation and secondary malolactic fermentation. These components then remained in oak for several months before being blended with the un-oaked components. The entire blend was then transferred back into oak where it was left to mature for a further 18 months before bottling."