Description

ABOUT THE PRODUCER:
Established in 1969, Mount Langi Ghiran, the Aboriginal for ‘home of the yellow tailed black cockatoo’, is set amongst the dramatic backdrop of the Great Dividing Range in the Grampians region of Victoria. The first vines were planted on the property in the late 1800s, but it was in 1969, when the Fratin brothers replanted the vineyards, that Mount Langi Ghiran really came into its own. In 1980, the talented and energetic wine consultant Trevor Mast worked with the Fratin brothers raising the quality and six years later he purchased the property. Trevor pioneered the cool-climate style and with that, one of Australia’s most iconic wines the Langi Shiraz, was born. Cultivated sustainably, the estate is a member of Sustainable Wine Growing Australia. In 2018 Adam Louder, previously a cellar hand under Trevor Mast, became Head Winemaker, he crafts iconic wines that are elegant, full of finesse and the epitome of cool-climate Shiraz.

THE VINTAGE:
2021 was a relatively mild year in terms of temperatures. Yields were back up above average, and quality was good, however, ripening was drawn out, but this does impart an abundance of spice and full, fruit flavours. The red wines showed great spice, elegant tannins and firm acid drive.

ABOUT THE VINEYARD:
The Mount Langi Ghiran vineyard is located at an elevation of 350 metres above sea level and set between the namesake Mount Langi Ghiran and Mount Cole. The mountains create a cooling effect as cold air tumbles down and into the valley and the shadow cast shortens the effective sunshine hours in autumn, extending grape ripening and contributing natural acidity and intense fruit flavours. Mountain erosion over time has created a unique profile of granite sands over sedimentary red clay loam. The texture of these ancient soils is ideal for moderating the natural vigour of the Shiraz variety. The Shiraz vine material was originally sourced from old vineyards in nearby Great Western dating to the 1860s, pre-dating the arrival of phylloxera. This vine source combined with the terroir produces an outstanding array of spice and pepper characters. The cane-pruned vines have an average age of 30 years and are VSP trained, which creates an open canopy. The vineyard is harvested 75% by hand, to retain the quality of fruit. Organic treatments are kept to a minimum, cover grasses are planted and the vineyard is rich in biodiversity.

THE WINEMAKING PROCESS:
Vinification took place in small batches. The grapes underwent whole-berry fermentation with natural yeast in small open-topped fermenters, spending two weeks on the skins. The wine spent 15 to 18 months in French oak barriques of which 40% were new, where the wine underwent malolactic conversion adding a textural element.

OUR TASTING NOTES:
A beautifully balanced and complex Shiraz, with enticing aromas of black cherry, blackcurrant and dark chocolate through to a palate of mocha notes mingled with black forest fruits, framed by aniseed and a hint of truffle.

GRAPE VARIETY:
Shiraz 100%.