Blend
Shiraz (96%) Viognier (4%)

Season
The 2016-2017 season presented ideal conditions for vine health in the Canberra District. Well-spaced rain events and generally warm conditions combined with modest yields produced shiraz grapes with fantastic spice, flesh and backbone.

Viticulture
The Marked Tree Red comprises hand-worked parcels of shiraz from vineyards in and around Murrumbateman. The mix of granite and shale soils produce fruit which is both perfumed and elegantly structured as well as savoury, textured and rich.

Winemaking
The grapes were hand-harvested at between 12.5 and 13.5 Baume. Fermentation with whole bunches and natural yeast took place in open fermenters which were worked by pigeage to extract flavour and tannin. Parcels went through a natural malolactic fermentation and ageing in a mix of new and seasoned Allier and Troncais oak. Blending and bottling took place in February 2018.

Taste
The wine’s lively crimson colour is accompanied by a fragrant bouquet of dark cherry, blackberry, pepper and aniseed, with a savoury, textured mouthfeel. Although weighted for early drinking, the 2017 Marked Tree Red has a sturdy spine and will age gracefully.

The Marked Tree Red vintages (’05, ’09, ’15) took out the Red Wine of Provenance Trophy at The 2016 National Wine Show of Australia.