The Cream 2016

Description

The Cream is blended at the optimum time from the best barrels from First Drop’s most prized vineyards to create the ultimate expression of Barossa Shiraz from the vintage.

A rich, textured, seamless wine that combines power and elegance.

S h a d e Black

B o u q u e t Lifted black fruit aromas with hints of smoke, tar, leather, orals and Indian spices

P a l a t e Rich kirsch and black fruits, dark chocolate and licorice, balanced with textured, lingeringly seamless tannins

Awards

97 pts James Halliday Wine Companion

91 pts Wine Spectator Points

Certificates

Vinification

The fruit is crushed/destemmed and fermented at temperatures ranging from 20- 25°C for 10-12 days on skins. The ferment is managed by a variety of techniques, including ‘aerative pump overs’ and ‘drain and returns’ which assist in extracting colour, flavour and tannin from the grapes.

Vineyard

Anthony’s vineyard is at Ebenezer in the north of the Barossa - 296m above sea level on deep red clay – 52% of blend Damon’s vineyard is just north east of Greenock in the north west of the Barossa -330m above sea level on clay with ironstone - 35% of blend Darren’s vineyard is to the north of Seppeltseld in the west of the Barossa – 285m above sea level on clay over limestone – 13% of blend

Maturation

At the end of fermentation, it is drained/pressed, and transferred to new American oak barriques, new French oak hogsheads and 3 and 4 year old French oak hogsheads to undergo MLF. Post MLF, sulphur dioxide is added, and the wines mature sur lie for 20 months. The final blend consisted of 35% new French oak hogheads and 13% new American oak barriques. This wine was bottled unfiltered in December 2017.