Domenica Beechworth Shiraz 2015

95 Points - Wine Front "...From a very good year. From one of the best in the business. Well. It’s hard to know what to say here. If you have a fondness for Beechworth shiraz then there’s no need to read the remainder of this review; simply put this straight on the ‘buy’ list, because you will love this 2015 Domenica.

• Winemaker's Notes
• Reviews/Accolades

• The shiraz is grown from one end of the site to the other. This means half is on the southern slope of the ridge, and half on the north. Fermennted separately in small batches, the differences are dramatic, and present wonderful blending options. Two wines are produced, Ergo Sum is the premium label, taking the best barrels, and made with an eye firmly on the style of the northern rhone wines. Most often the south slopes provide the base, producing a powerful, savoury, cool climate wine of complexity and longevity. Domenica is softer, still powerful, with a deep core of fruit and the structure to live for many years. Again, both are traditionally made. Whole bunch inclusion is dependant upon the season, up to around 25% of the batch. The remainder is lightly crushed, destemmed, then taken to an open topped concrete tank, where it usually sits for a few days prior to the commencement of fermentation. This takes about two weeks, with hand plunging the extraction technique employed. Taste and seasonal conditions will determine whether any post fermentation maceration is undertaken, then the wine is basket pressed, blended, and taken to barrel for maturation for around 21 months. The finest French barriques are used, around 25% new. Ergo Sum is bottled under cork closure, and the Domenica under screwcaps.
  
  Vintage: 2015
  Varietal: Shirazy
  Appellation: Beechworth, VIC
  Alcohol: 15.5%
  
  
• 95 Points - Wine Front
  
  "Estate grown. To be released in June 2017. From a very good year. From one of the best in the business. Well. It’s hard to know what to say here. If you have a fondness for Beechworth shiraz then there’s no need to read the remainder of this review; simply put this straight on the ‘buy’ list, because you will love this 2015 Domenica. It’s a little riper than the 2014 and with it comes a little more gravity; more presence. Blackberry and black cherry, anise, slips of roasted nuts, cocoa. But the spice notes, the peppers, the rangey tannin, the finesse; it all remains intact. It’s the best of warmth and the best of cool; it’s night and day in a bottle."