Schild Estate

TASTING NOTES

Bright and open knit aromas of dark plum and fresh cherry fruit fire the opening salvos of this wine before being joined by glimpses of fresh figs and violet floral notes. On the palate the wine shows a controlled mouth filling front and mid palate where the expected plum and blueberry fruit flavours show again. Here they are ably supported by subtler notes of dark chocolate, fresh vanilla bean, all spice and bay leaves. A clear consistent focus and passage though the mouth encapsulated by soft silky tannins.

TECHNICAL

This wine is fermented in stainless steel open fermenters before undergoing secondary malolactic fermentation in new and seasoned French oak hogsheads. There is a focus on minimal handling and the use of oak for structural framing rather than imparting significant oak flavour. The wine is matured for 12- 14 months in barrel before usually undergoing a light filtration and fining if deemed appropriate prior to bottling.

THE VINEYARD

The Three Springs vineyard is where the original Schild family estate is located. Situated on historic Narrow Road at Rowland Flat, this vineyard sits at 380 metres above sea level. Vineyards at this altitude are traditionally much lower yielding than vineyards planted on the Barossa Valley floor meaning the grapes from these vines are regarded as higher quality fruit.

THE VINTAGE

2020 was a year that presented some early season challenges. A lack of rainfall and heat meant yields were significantly lower than average. However, almost ideal conditions prevailed towards the back end of the growing season in late January and February. These were a welcome arrival allowing grapevines to relax and flavours to develop slowly and steadily towards the onset of harvest. In addition, the milder late season conditions ensured that natural acid levels remained high, and winemakers had time in which to operate and make optimum harvest decisions. Small yields but genuinely high quality were the hallmarks of 2020.