Description
2004 Wendouree Shiraz. Wendouree Cellars is located in South Australia’s Clare Valley. The Wendouree Shiraz is made from some of the oldest shiraz vines in Australia, planted at Wendouree in 1893 by Alfred Percy Birks, these vines are derived from the original James Bushby Collection via the Adelaide Botanical Gardens. Wendouree Cellars is listed as an indicative place on the register of the National Estate. Roly Birks, a veteran of some 60 vintages retired in 1983. Lita and Tony Bourke, veteran winemakers of some 45 vintages purchased Wendouree Cellars in 1974.
Wendouree’s integrity and heritage are both preserved, Wendouree Cellars in very much a 19th century working winery. Wendouree Wines are recognisable by their fruit power, weight and concentration; the tannin structures are very muscular and tightly knit. James Halliday has described Wendouree wines as “The iron fist in a velvet glove”. These old shiraz vines are high in seed content, producing small berries with thick skins. The fruit is vinified in stainless steel lined open fermenters. Wendouree Wines are matured in about 20% new oak for around 12 months, Wendouree shiraz has a core of blackberry/black olive aromas.
