2021 Helbig 1915 Shiraz 3pk

After some tricky vintages with heat and frost in 2019 and 2020, the spring leading into 2021 came with ample rainfall and relatively normal conditions. Our cane pruned Helbig is watched carefully and thinned as required once fruit has set. We rarely need extra water to keep this patch going, owing to the deep roots in sandy loam over red clay. Harvest decisions in 2021 were easy, with no threat of rain or any disease pressure. The pristine fruit was hand-picked in the morning. Destemmed fruit was cold soaked and fermented in new oak puncheons with heads knocked out over 2 weeks before pressing to oak for malolactic fermentation and extended time on lees. We find the lees help the wine to integrate with such bold tannins. This process also helps to blend the new oak in with the bold fruit profile. We are super excited about our 2021 Helbig - it is the result of a stunning vintage. Happy and healthy vines in perfect growing conditions deliver wine of this calibre only in the very best vintages, making our job as grapegrowers and winemakers easy! - Jules Ashmead & Brock Harrison