Product Information:
The Beauty Shiraz, counterpart to The Beast, it is a wine of elegance. Grown on the coolest block on the property, it is co-fermented with a touch of Viognier, the Beauty displays complex lifted aromatics, along with the softness and subtlety befitting a wine of this name. Quantities are scarce. Don't miss out on this cellar release!
2014 saw solid rainfall through June and July filled the soil profile thus providing a great start to the growing season. This was followed by an extremely dry and hot spring combined with unusually high winds at flowering. These challenging conditions continued on through summer until the middle of February when a significant rain fall event signalled the end of summer and a return to mild days. This last minute reprieve from the heat was critical for the vintage, resulting in slower ripening and therefore increased opportunity for flavour development.
Shiraz and wet Viognier skins (3%) were combined at the weighbridge, 100% destemmed and transferred to their fermentation vessel. A combination of inoculated and natural yeast strains performed the fermentation. After an initial temperature spike, 1/3 of the wine was sent to oak for fermentation off skins. The balance was chilled and returned over the skins where a minimal pump-over regime of under 2 days was employed to ensure the softness of palate for which The Beauty is known. It was then basket pressed to a combination of new (40%) and old French barrels where it underwent natural malolactic fermentation. The wine spent a total of 18 months maturation in oak. No fining or filtration were used in the production of this wine.
Maker:
Hentley Farm was established in 1997 by Keith and Alison Hentschke, who had a single vision to craft exceptional single estate wines from the Barossa Valley.
Prior to this, Keith acquired impressive credentials studying Agricultural Science and Wine Marketing at Roseworthy College, where he graduated with the prestigious Gramp Hardy Smith Memorial Prize for the college’s most outstanding student, and garnered extensive experience working in the wine industry. He made good use of these years, searching for the perfect site and consulting with local winemakers and viticulturalists, who told him to ‘Head north west (Barossa) and look for the red/brown soil over limestone’.
The extreme diversity of soil, aspect, and altitude across the property provided both an opportunity and a challenge which required meticulous planning for the layout of the vineyards. Specifically regarding; varietal selection, clone selection, row spacing, orientation, the type of trellising used, and water management. The blocks were planted to Shiraz (70%), Grenache (17%), Cabernet Sauvignon (10%), Zinfandel (2%), and a small parcel of Viognier (0.5%). The first wines were released from the property in 2002.
Since 2008, Head Winemaker Andrew Quin has influenced the evolution of the vineyard with a focus on crafting modern wines from traditional Barossa varieties. The wines show varietal diversity and are attractive and approachable when young, with the depth and structure for extended cellaring. Under Andrew’s care, Hentley Farm has cemented its position as one of Australia’s leading boutique wineries with accolades across the globe – including 2015 James Halliday Winery of the Year. A story of vineyard and vintage told with every wine release; each restricted in volume by the boundaries of the estate, and vintage conditions.
Vineyard:
The Beauty block is grown at the lowest point of the Hentley Farm vineyard, directly on the banks of Greenock Creek. The western aspect results in a shaded morning; the low topographical position is where cool air settles; and the large gum trees surrounding the block create significant barriers to air movement, so cool air remains present well into the morning. This results in early morning air temperatures 2-3 degrees cooler than the higher Shiraz blocks, and a 2-3 week later harvest.
Tasting Notes:
Nose - Plum, Quince, Cocoa
Expressive and aromatic, bright quince sweetness balances a cocoa-like oak profile. The passionfruit flower and white peach notes soften the nose.
Palate - Cherry, Plum, Fruitcake
Clean acidity on the palate. It's got cherry, plum, fruitcake and liquorice in a fresh vinous smoothie.
Finish - Mocha, Liquorice, Woody Spices
Great tannin integration, well-structured and surprising drive which will continue to develop.
Reviews and Accolades
Estate-grown 97% shiraz, 3% viognier. A full-bodied shiraz that is so supple and well balanced it could be enjoyed for dinner tonight, tomorrow morning for breakfast and finished with lunch - all meaningless, of course, it would be long gone by the end of dinner. It's got cherry, plum, fruitcake and liquorice in a fresh vinous smoothie. - James Halliday Wine Companion, 96 Points.
The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal - Shiraz 97%, Viognier 3%
Country - Australia
Region - Barossa Valley, South Australia
Vintage - 2014
Bottle Size - 1.5L
ABV - 14%
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