Year: 2019

Name: The Monster

Varietal: Shiraz

Vineyard: Bethany, Barossa Valley

Having taken the trial batch from Neil Ridley’s immaculate vineyard in 2017, we were very happy with the results and wanted to work towards taking more of his fruit and more regularly. 2018 was a very difficult year to be entering such a negotiation and we were only able to take the front block again and on the proviso that we split it with the same producer as the year prior. Due to very low yields, the oak we had specially purchased didn’t quite ll and the other producer used some very similar Marananga Shiraz to top the barrel causing a deviation from our ‘single vineyard’ scope. After the release of the 2017 ‘The Monster’, it sold so quickly we had to take it off our lists to reserve museum stock. Given the clear message from our members, we went ahead to purchase the other half of the 2018 off the other producer. Vintage ‘19 was also very small, limiting our distribution but we have since entered into a long-term venture with the grower and as of Vintage ‘20 take the whole vineyard. Planted 200180% Shiraz. Growers: Neil and Bronwyn Ridley Bethany. GI: Barossa Valley, Barossa, South Australia Soil: planted in light sandy loam to clay loam over medium clay.Hand picked off the front block. De-stemmed in vineyard. 20% Shiraz(topping wine). Marananga. GI: Barossa Valley, Barossa, South AustraliaWild Ferment 14 days maceration 21 months in a custom-coopered 300L AO with some FO Staves by A Stiller Coopers Unfined and Unfiltered. Racked, oak washed and returned October 2019. No further wine movements till bottling. Bi-monthly barrel toppings. Full barrels transported to bottling to avoid movements. 

Tasting Notes: The combination of these two winemaking changes has resulted in a balanced complex wine with restraint of the vanilla spearmint lollies & eucalyptus, then the addition of more spice, earthiness and tannin, to compliment the bold dark-fruit of this gob-smacker. The inky colour from those dark & thick skins will creep up your cheeks like a Super-Villain smile.

Cellaring: Enjoy until 2038.

Pairing: Wagyu Dry Aged Tomahawk steak.

Alc %: 15.3%

Winemaker: Jono Knowles