West Cape Howe Two Steps Shiraz x 12

West Cape Howe Two Steps Shiraz x 12Our Two Steps Shiraz is all from our Langton vineyard in Mt Barker; our best blocks are some of the earliest plantings in the region, now around 40 years old. We enjoyed a warm and dry season, so the 2020 vintage was fast & furious with the Shiraz picked a good 10 days earlier than average. Crops were a little lower due to the smaller berry size, but the fruit was well coloured, well flavoured and in great condition. Halfway through ferment, a portion

Our ‘Two Steps’ Shiraz is all from our Langton vineyard in Mt Barker; our best blocks are some of the earliest plantings in the region, now around 40 years old. We enjoyed a warm and dry season, so the 2020 vintage was ‘fast & furious’ with the Shiraz picked a good 10 days earlier than average. Crops were a little lower due to the smaller berry size, but the fruit was well coloured, well flavoured and in great condition. Halfway through ferment, a portion was drained off skins to finish its ferment in new oak, adding a rich, soft and very fruity element that’s also rich in oak tannin. It was all matured in French oak barriques (~30% new) for 18 months before bottling.  

COLOUR:

A lovely deep dark, crimsony red.

AROMA:

Has an intense nose with rich, dark plum and delicious ripe blueberry fruit aromas. Along with the spicy dark red berry characters there’s some fragrant notes of violets & a hint of pomegranate molasses all adding complexity.  

PALATE:

 This is a richly flavoured Shiraz with a great depth of those spicy, ripe, dark plum fruit flavours. Has a very good palate weight with those generous, mouth filling and quite concentrated red berry fruit flavours being well balanced by the lightly drying, slightly ‘chalky’ tannins. The sweet oak characters and those gently drying tannins contribute to its length of flavour and good finish. After it’s time in oak and then 2+ years in bottle, it is very well integrated while still retaining its vibrant fruit flavours. Match with a roasted vegetable dish or an Asian style meat dish.