1877 Hilltops Shiraz

McWilliam's 1877 Hilltops Shiraz draws from mature, low yielding vines in Hilltops, north-west of Canberra. The wine is named for the year Samuel McWilliam planted the winery's first vines in Corowa, New South Wales.

Handpicked grapes spend five days cold soaking with up to half whole bunches in open top stainless steel tanks. The tank is then warmed and inoculated with yeast to begin fermentation. The skins are hand plunged for two weeks.

Once pressed, the wine is racked to 35% new French oak to age for 10 months on fine lees. It is then blended and lightly fined prior to bottling.

A vibrant purple, McWilliam's 1877 Hilltops Shiraz is a cool climate, medium bodied wine with spicy red fruit flavours, fine slatey tannins and bright acidity. Cellaring potential is 15 years.