2022 Vegas Block Shiraz
Hunter Valley, NSW
A mid-density wine with youthful purple tints and lifted spice, red cherry aromas and bramble notes. A very fragrant, pretty nose. French oak is in the background, which adds another subtle layer. Silky tannins from the whole bunch in the ferment and the savoury fruit make for a delightful Hunter Valley light dry red with persistent length.
MAJOR ACCOLADES:
Bronze Medal | 2023 Royal Melbourne Wine Awards
96 Points | The Wine Front - reviewed by Mike Bennie
95 Points | Wine Pilot - reviewed by Nicole Bilson
95 Points | Wine Pilot - reviewed by Ken Gargett
CRU $393.75 I SVC $371.25
In Stock
Wine Specs
Vintage
2022
Varietal
Shiraz
Acid
6.60 g/L
pH
3.36
Residual Sugar
0.57 g/L
Alcohol %
12.5
Wine Profile
Vinification
All hand-picked fruit processing started with a 3-day cold soak, then 7
day ferment at 24-26C. Two-tonne open fermenters were used, enabling
a combination of hand plunging and pumpovers to manage the cap. The
wine was pressed off and run to oak for malolactic fermentation and
maturation. Old French oak puncheons were selected with the wine
maturing for nine months before being bottled in January 2023.
Winemaker Comments
A season with many similarities to 2021 but overall of higher quality.
La Nina once again made for a cool, wet season, albeit tempered
by consistent breeze, which kept the canopy dry and disease at bay.
Pokolbin had reached its annual rainfall by the end of November,
the wettest November on record. We ended up receiving 956mm for
2021. It was one of the latest harvests in the Hunter in many years.
Thankfully, the sun came out, and the Vegas Block picked on the 17th
of February under cool, cloudy skies.
This is a Single Vineyard, block-specific Shiraz from the Graveyard
Vineyard. This particular block sits on the southern end by the
McDonald’s Road and Thompson’s Road corner. The wine derived
its name after being replanted several times over the last 40 years,
resulting in a lot of money having being spent, just like a trip to Las
Vegas. We were very tempted to label it “Vega$” with the dollar sign
for fun.
Food Pairing
Veal, duck and cheese.
Drink
Drinking well now but will age gracefully.