The Contrarian Shiraz

Head Wines The Contrarian Shiraz is mostly sourced from the Eden Valley. Higher altitude fruit develops flavour at lower levels of alcohol, contrary to the typical Barossa style.

The fruit vinifies in an open cement fermenter with indigenous yeasts, including one quarter whole bunch inclusion. Over two weeks of fermentation, the juice is hand plunged and pumped over twice daily.

For maturation, the wine is sent to a four year old foudre, a French term for a large wooden vat. Larger format, neutral oak is used so that the fruit and stem tannins – rather than oak tannins – shine through.

Red purple, Head Wines The Contrarian Shiraz has layered red and dark fruit flavours with long, chewy tannins. Cellaring potential is 10 years.