From the Winery

In the Great Southern, the Mount Barker and Frankland sub regions began the growing season with just adequate soil moisture and scant catchment fill. Predictably, unpredictable spring weather in November did impact flowering, set and early spring growth on exposed sites. Summer was hot but uniformly so with some late on shore drizzle bringing the vintage to a rapid close in early April. With yields below average, the wines produced from the 2014 vintage are full of concentrated fruit flavours, good acidity and fine ripe tannins. The vintage is full of highlights as all varieties performed well in the fine, warm conditions.

The Flint Rock Shiraz is an annual selection from individual vineyard blocks located in Frankland River and Mount Barker. The soils are lateritic gravelly/sandy loams over granite. Yields are low to moderate. Frankland is typical bold and primary in fruit while Mount Barker is finer and more spiced.

Harvest of the 2014 Flint Rock Shiraz occurred in late March. Vinification in small open vat fermenters and gentle cap management facilitates the extraction of fine fruit tannin and strong varietal flavour. Oak maturation is for 15 months in a combination of new and old French barrels.

The welcoming ripe fruit notes of plums and dark cherries dusted with the scent of rose petals and red jelly crystals create an anticipatory air. With a little time to unwind, savoury notes of spice, earth and liquorice rise and deftly mingle with the supple fruit, soft tannins and oak’s vanilla and mocha seasonings.
Whist warm and rich, the palate’s elegance of structure, subtle complexities, balance and lasting flavour make for a compelling tasting experience.
In style, structure and flavour, this wine inclines more to Syrah than Shiraz as it reflects and reveals its cool continental origin.

Food Ideas: Malay chicken curry or seared tuna with kewpie sesame dressing.


Reviews & Awards

"Flint Rock Shiraz is from the Great Southern arm of Howard Park. It’s hard to argue with this. It offers warm, berried flavour with an overlay of black pepper and assorted cloves and dry spice; it’s not super smooth but it’s supple and soft-enough. It smells ripe and inviting; it doesn’t put a foot wrong through the palate. You can’t really go wrong. A quick double-decant does it wonders too.” - 91 Points, Campbell Mattinson - The Wine Front

“The nose is feral, wood and moss slightly dank and so very inviting. On the palate it settles down and richer fruit characters start to appear, very appealing wine 94 points and well worth $28.” - 94 Points, Tony Keys - The Key Report 2017

2013 - Silver - San Francisco International Wine Show

2012 - Bronze - Perth Royal Wine Show