The Copper Trail’ was a route forged by prospectors following the discovery of Copper at Burra in the late 1840s. The Copper Trail passed through the Clare Valley just south of Watervale - through land on which the vineyards of Annie's Lane today produce some of the region's finest wines.
'Copper Trail' Shiraz is Annie's Lane's flagship wine. This wine is hand crafted to reflect the very best of the Clare Valley. Exceptional grapes grown in esteemed vineyards surrounding Sevenhill and Watervale were hand selected for their expressive regional flavours and characteristics.
Varietal | Shiraz |
---|---|
Vintage | 2014 |
Country | Australia |
Region | Clare Valley |
Volume | 750 mL |
Enclosure | Screw Cap |
Alc/Vol | 15% |
Peak Drinking | Now - 2027 |
Winemaker | Alex MacKenzie |
93 points | Jane Faulkner |
92 points | Mike Bennie |
Bronze | 2016 Clare Valley Wine Show |
Bronze | 2017 Clare Valley Wine Show |
Jane Faulkner
"Impenetrable inky red colour. Rich and ripe style, a little too much yet well put together. Black fruit mixed with dried herbs, black olives, bitter chocolate and lots of charry oak. There's a fineness on the palate, just the alcohol warmth and oak gives a bigger impression, the latter adds to the tannin structure."
Mike Bennie
"Strong oak scents over dark fruit leading with graphite, cedar, then the dark berry-plum, choc-cherry combo going on in the bouquet. The palate is stately with fine clove-oak draped over soft, mellifluous rum ‘n’ raisin fruit character. It’s surprisingly soft and medium weight but shows good concentration and depth of flavour. Satisfying for its heft yet showing grace, though you could comment on a touch of breathy feel, heat, as the wine finishes. Nicely balanced, you’d say, and for those seeking an older school, bolder red wine."
South Australia’s stunning Clare Valley is an enigma. Its ability to produce full-bodied reds and delicately floral Rieslings under a continental climate makes it famous for wines of intensity and balance (its secret is cool afternoon breezes to slow down ripening).
The 2013/2014 season experienced extreme conditions on several fronts– the Winter period proved to be warmer than average, temperatures were quite inconsistent through late Spring causing poor set followed by a Summer that brought numerous heat spikes with 12 days over 40 degrees. To top it off, an average of 33 degrees was recorded in the first 40 days of 2014.
After some useful rain periods through the Winter, Spring brought very dry weather with total rainfall well below the average. This trend followed into Summer until mid February when tropical moisture delivered approximately 100mm of rain in less than 4 days. This rainfall filled soil profiles and gave the vines a much needed boost. Consequently, Shiraz displayed excellent colour and natural tannin.
Melbourne born and bred, Alex developed a fond affection for the Clare Valley following regular childhood visits to the picturesque wine region to see his grandparents. Alex discovered his passion for wine when he was sixteen, whilst in the Rhone Valley as an exchange student with a French family. Ignited by his surroundings, Alex went on to study viticulture at The University of Adelaide and has spent vintages in Piedmont, Chianti, and along the Mosel in Germany.