Spinifex 'Rostein' Adelaide Hills Shiraz 2018

The winemaker is Pete Schel and he is one of Australia's best.  He was crowned Young Gun of Wine in 2008 and was a finalist for Gourmet Traveller Winemaker of the Year last year. 

Although this is the first release of this label, Pete Schell has been working with Rostein Shiraz fruit since the 2015 harvest. The 2018 harvest was the first where he felt he understood enough about the site and had the quality of vintage to really go for it. 

"First release. Hand picked, no whole bunches. Wild-yeast fermented then matured for 12 months in 50% new barriques and demi-muids. A grand newcomer for Spinifex, this is the first time this vineyard has stepped up since it was purchased in 2014. Signature Eden Valley shiraz of full purple hue, reverberating with deep-set spice, powerful blackberry and satsuma plum fruit, fresh licorice and a full serve of dark chocolate oak. Impressive concentration is consummately backed with a fine yet taut frame of intricately suspended tannins that carry the finish very long indeed." 96pts - Tyson Stelzer - Halliday Wine Companion

"This has an assertive, red-cherry and blackberry nose with crushed stones, graphite and abundant fragrant spices, buried deep in black fruit. The palate has dense tannins and very intense, concentrated, blackberry and blood-plum flavors. Chiseled, compressed, velvety and powerful. Needs three to four years." 98 points, Nick Stock, Jamessuckling.com