SOUL GROWERS Equilibrium Shiraz Grenache Mourvedre, Barossa Valley

SOUL GROWERS Gobell Single Vineyard Shiraz, Barossa Valley

Dark purple red in colour, the nose coconut fudge and chocolate plump, the palate very full bodied and large with fine tannins and a warm finish. Soul Growers' fruit is destemmed in open fermenters that hold anywhere from half a tonne, to five tonnes. After seven to ten days of fermentation the fermenters are drained and placed by hand into basket presses. The fruit is then gently pressed for about 18 hours to ensure the flavour and aromas are carefully extracted without releasing harsh and bitter tannins.After pressing, the winemakers settle the wine in tanks before filling the barrels ready for ageing. The winery's renowned reds generally spend 18 to 24 months on oak. To round off the process, each individual barrel is blended and benchmarked prior to being settled in bottles, without any fining or filtration.

Equal parts powerful and elegant, this is outstanding shiraz. You can always rely on Soul Growers to deliver quality over and above- and the Esperanza shiraz does that tenfold. Each drop of wine can be traced back to the ground it came from- literally. Working with some of the valley's best growers year on year on year (for decades) consistency and quality is at the heart of this winery. A symphony of violets and plums, with gentle hums of baking spice and anise complimenting this generously fruited drop.