The Old Faithful BT Shiraz 2018
Detailed information and Tasting Notes
McLaren Vale is home to some of the most treasured old vine plantings in the world today, with the earliest known plantings dating back into the 19th century. We affectionately refer to them as “The Old Faithful”. They are a resource we treasure dearly.
The Old Faithful, founded by wine mates in 2005 is an artisan producer of small quantities of exceptional wines from older, exceptional single vineyards. We look for vineyards that are expressive of McLaren Vale, the vintage and the variety and only release our wines when the wines display these finest characters. With the Rhone as its inspiration – Shiraz and Grenache grace our portfolio. Made to age gracefully, we believe in and recommend our wines and hope you can enjoy the magic of ‘The Old Faithful’.
This third release Shiraz (nicknamed ‘Black Tip’) is blended from two expressive old vine sites in McLaren Vale.
After harvesting, the grapes undergo open tank ferment slowly over a week or more. On pressing the wine was transferred to new French oak puncheons to complete fermentation and add structure to the wine and then slowly mature for complexity and tertiary expression.
Bottled with light filtration, no fining.
Vintage: 2018
The Old Faithful Black Tip Shiraz
Region: McLaren Vale
Variety: Shiraz from McLaren Flat
Oak: French oak 500L puncheons for 30 months
Closure: We use DIAM5 cork to provide taint free cellaring.
Bottles made: 1506 x 750mL, September, 2021
Analysis: 14.4% Alc/vol, pH 3.51 TA 6.5
Winemaker’s Notes at October, 2021:
Colour: Dense purple with dark burgundy edges.
Nose: Complex black fruits and light toasty oak notes which include cedar and light forest floor.
Palate: Strong and forward with dark fruits, bramble and hi toned oak notes. Hints of creamy nougat oak with spices and lifted oak complexities.
2018 Vintage: A very strong vintage with warm conditions and long even ripening
Potential: Long term cellaring will add layers of complexity. Decant on opening.
Winemaking: Nick Haselgrove