Schild estate Narrow road shiraz/cab 2019

The Schild Estate Narrow Road Vineyard Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 is a distinctive blend from the Barossa region, composed of 66% Shiraz and 34% Cabernet Sauvignon. It's highly recommended to decant this wine to fully appreciate its complex aromatics and perfumes. The wine exudes savoury blackberry and dark plum aromas with a slightly cedary influence. It's characterized by immense power and concentration, yet maintains a super fine and elegantly stylish profile. The expert use of a mix of new and old oak barrels complements the fruit and tannin harmoniously, adding to the wine's overall balance and complexity. This wine is produced in the Narrow Road Vineyard, located high on the hills behind the township of Rowland Flat and adjacent to the original Schild homestead, established in 1952. The winemaking process involves hand-harvesting the grapes, crushing them into traditional open-top fermenters, followed by pre-fermentation cold soak. The winemaker's specifications guide whether the wine is gently pumped over or punched down by hand to optimize color and retain complex fruit flavors. Post-fermentation maceration usually occurs before the wine is drained and pressed into barrels, where it undergoes a maturation period of 18-24 months. The two varieties are kept separate until blending and bottling, with the wine seeing additional time in the bottle prior to release. The wine has been praised this blend as a testament to Australia's expertise in wine blending, particularly with Shiraz and Cabernet. The wine is described as dangerously smooth with generous fruit, showcasing flavors of dark plums and blackberries, complemented by notes of coffee cream and milk chocolate. It has a seductive flow, drying out slowly towards the end. The tannins are likened to cocoa, building momentum through the finish, which is long and leaves a lasting impression of dark chocolate. This wine is considered impressive and expected to age well over many years.