Grey Label Langhorne Creek Cabernet Shiraz 2021
Wolf Blass
Grey Label Langhorne Creek Cabernet Shiraz 2021
Wolf Blass
Grey Label Langhorne Creek Cabernet Shiraz 2021
Overview
Overview
Grey Label Cabernet Shiraz was sourced from a region as unique as the wine itself. The vineyards of Langhorne Creek lie on deep, rich, alluvial soils along the banks of the Bremer River. Flooding of the river provides natural irrigation while at the same time depositing silts and sediments that contribute to the unique soil qualities, impacting the resultant wine’s character and personality.
Separate vineyard batches were fermented in small open-top fermenters for 5 to 15 days. Plunging and gentle irrigation were used to work the cap and optimise flavour, colour and tannin extraction, providing for concentration and depth of fruit, while keeping tannins plush, hallmarks of the Grey Label style. Selected batches completed fermentation in barrel, contributing mid palate texture, while others finished fermentation on skins, providing structural length and focus.
| Varietal | Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz |
|---|---|
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Country | Australia |
| Region | Langhorne Creek |
| Volume | 750 mL |
| Closure | Screw Cap |
| Alc/Vol | 14.5% |
| Peak Drinking | Now - 2033 |
| Winemaker | Marie Clay |
Awards and Accolades
Awards and Accolades
| 96 Points | Ray Jordan |
| 92+ Points | Campbell Mattinson |
| Gold | 2023 Royal Queensland Wine Show |
| Bronze | 2023 Sydney Royal Wine Show |
Food Pairing
Food Pairing
Chicken
Lamb
Duck
Cheese
Veg
Taste Description
Taste Description
Nose
A lifted nose with a rich, dark fruit profile of blackberry and black cherry, with subtle mineral notes, regional eucalypt, warm spice and cedary oak.
Flavours and Palate
A smooth, plush palate with layered bramble berry fruits complemented by subtle spice, complex regional notes of chocolate and eucalypt, and balanced cedary oak. Medium to full bodied, the palate finishes with finely textured, elegant tannins, while displaying great length, finesse and fruit presence.
Viticulture Vintage & Winemaking
Viticulture Vintage & Winemaking
Langhorne Creek, South Australia
Nestled among gum trees on an ancient flood plain between the Bremer and Angas rivers, Langhorne Creek is one of Australia’s best-kept viticultural secrets. Its deep, alluvial soils and the surprisingly cool influence of nearby Lake Alexandrina produce soft and fragrantly elegant reds with distinctive mintiness.
Early winter rainfall was light but regular, enough to provide useful mulch to help retain moisture through the dry late-winter, spring and early summer. Good flowering and fruit-set led to even berry development. Summer was relatively cool, but with two heat spikes that impacted yields. Mostly cooler conditions helped retain excellent natural acidity, varietal expression and very good colour.
Alex MacKenzie - Winemaker
Alex started as 10th Winemaker at Saltram in 2017, however his first connection with Saltram was in 2001, working alongside the 8th maker, Nigel Dolan. Alex brings with him over fifteen years of winemaking experience and a great love of the Barossa. His style is down to earth – allowing the season and dirt to speak for themselves – keeping winemaking simple to enable a pure expression of Barossa fruit, as is the Saltram tradition.