2023 Five Shillings

Barossa

Shiraz Mataro

 

Deep crimson with purple hues. Fragrant aromas of blackcurrant, blueberry and dark plum, with notes of white pepper, mace, nutmeg, bay leaf and rosemary. The palate is rich, plush and textural with intense blue fruits and spice, layered with violets and black pepper, balanced by fresh acidity and fine tannins for a long finish.


$37.00
$37.00
  Deep crimson with purple hues. Fragrant aromas of blackcurrant, blueberry and dark plum, with notes of white pepper...

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BACKGROUND

Five Shillings pays tribute to Paul Gotthard, second-generation Henschke winemaker and a member of the early Barossa Silesian community of South Australia. In 1862 he and his father, Johann Christian, established the Henschke winery in the high country of the Eden Valley’s historic North Rhine district, planted seven acres of vines, and in 1868 sold the first wines. In 1873, after a transfer of five shillings, he continued on the winemaking tradition from his father and began to build a reputation for quality wines. Among the first wines they produced in the 1860s were ‘dry white’ (likely made from riesling) and ‘dry red’ (likely made from shiraz and mataro). This wine replicates the blend of Gotthard’s early ‘dry reds’ and is produced from Eden Valley shiraz planted on red-brown earths derived from 540 million-year-old sediments, blended with mataro grown on the sandy soils of the Barossa Valley.

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Varieties: Shiraz 75% Mataro 25%
Harvest Date: 11 April - 10 May
Alcohol: 14.5%
Vintage Rating: Excellent vintage
Maturation: Matured in 3% new French oak and 97% seasoned oak hogsheads for 10 months prior to blending and bottling.
Cellaring Potential: 10+ years (from vintage)

VINTAGE

By late winter the soil profiles had been refilled with well above average rainfall, which continued throughout spring. The wet conditions encouraged the spread of fungal disease, such as downy mildew. Shoot thinning during the growing season to open up the canopy helped to overcome disease pressure. A dry and cool December, which continued throughout summer, impacted late flowering and fruit set. Light rain events in autumn resulted in a slower ripening period in the lead up to harvest, which provided great flavour development and acid retention. Despite the challenges of the season, yields were above average with larger berry size compensating for the poor set. The 2023 vintage will be remembered for excellent quality wines with fruit purity, good structure, mature tannins and great length.  

TASTING NOTES

Five Shillings pays tribute to Paul Gotthard, second-generation Henschke winemaker and a member of the early Barossa Silesian community of South Australia. In 1862 he and his father, Johann Christian, established the Henschke winery in the high country of the Eden Valley’s historic North Rhine district, planted seven acres of vines, and in 1868 sold the first wines. In 1873, after a transfer of five shillings, he continued on the winemaking tradition from his father and began to build a reputation for quality wines. Among the first wines they produced in the 1860s were ‘dry white’ (likely made from riesling) and ‘dry red’ (likely made from shiraz and mataro). This wine replicates the blend of Gotthard’s early ‘dry reds’ and is produced from Eden Valley shiraz planted on red-brown earths derived from 540 million-year-old sediments, blended with mataro grown on the sandy soils of the Barossa Valley.

Varieties: Shiraz 75% Mataro 25%
Harvest Date: 11 April - 10 May
Alcohol: 14.5%
Vintage Rating: Excellent vintage
Maturation: Matured in 3% new French oak and 97% seasoned oak hogsheads for 10 months prior to blending and bottling.
Cellaring Potential: 10+ years (from vintage)

By late winter the soil profiles had been refilled with well above average rainfall, which continued throughout spring. The wet conditions encouraged the spread of fungal disease, such as downy mildew. Shoot thinning during the growing season to open up the canopy helped to overcome disease pressure. A dry and cool December, which continued throughout summer, impacted late flowering and fruit set. Light rain events in autumn resulted in a slower ripening period in the lead up to harvest, which provided great flavour development and acid retention. Despite the challenges of the season, yields were above average with larger berry size compensating for the poor set. The 2023 vintage will be remembered for excellent quality wines with fruit purity, good structure, mature tannins and great length.  

93+ points
“Fresh dark cherry, elderberry, plum, black olive, amazing graphite, herb garden notes. Dark elderberry, black cherry, chinotto, black olive fruits, lead pencil notes, fine slinky tannins and well balanced crunchy acidity. Some al dente textures at the finish. Attractive inky density and juicy dark berry fruits.”

ANDREW CAILLARD MW, THE VINTAGE JOURNAL