Artisans of Barossa Small Batch Cabernet Shiraz 2022

The lure of the blending table conjures endless possibilities, and when this Keller Block was being put racked for bottling, a small experiment had to take place—“What would a blend with little Shiraz look like?” After a few trials, an (almost) 50/50 blend appeared to create a whole new sensory experience.

Many wines present themselves from an idea of recreating something from a memory or a particular moment in time, asking to be recreated; some wines are the purest expressions of a vineyard that the vineyard and winery teams can co-create, and some wines present themselves through experimentation at the final moment - which is how this wine was conceived. The lure of the great Barossa blend of Shiraz and Cabernet proved irresistible and (thankfully) pleasing in its final form.

Winemaking:

The fruit was hand-harvested, destemmed, cold-soaked and naturally fermented in small 1 and 2 tonne open-fermenters. Hand plunging and pumping-over cap management techniques were employed throughout the fermentation period. A short post-ferment ferment maceration occurred for 6 days before being pressed off and matured in a mix of seasoned oak hogsheads, the newest being second fill. Matured for 12 months prior to being blended, naturally clarified and bottled without fining or filtration. The blend settled in tank for a month prior to local bottling.

Region: Barossa Valley. Cabernet Sauvignon from Nuriootpa, Shiraz from Northern Barossa Valley. 

Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon (54%) / Shiraz (46%)

Truly small batch in winemaking style and volume, this is an incredibly limited-release modern Cabernet Shiraz of outstanding quality. Bottled unfined, locally, it is vegan-friendly.

Small batch winemaking refers to the process of producing wine in limited quantities, typically on a smaller scale compared to larger wineries. It involves a more hands-on and artisanal approach, where attention to detail and quality are emphasized. 

The Artisans of Barossa are John Duval Wines, Spinifex Wines, Sons of Eden, Lienert Vineyards, Schwarz Wine Co., Hobbs of Barossa Ranges and Chaffey Bros. Wine Co.

Seven small winemakers brought together by a shared commitment to protect and promote the art of small-batch Barossa winemaking.

Winemaker, Corey Ryan, Sons of Eden.