SOUTHERN ÉMIGRÉ

Flagship wine, produced only in exceptional vintages.
Mr David Pettavel, a Swiss grape grower and winemaker emigrated southwards to Australia to pioneer grape growing and winemaking in Geelong. Mr David Pettavel established the first vineyards in the Geelong region and began the development of a vibrant industry for the region.

2005 Southern ÉMIGRÉ Shiraz Viognier

Alcohol: 14.5%, Closure: Screw cap
Blend Shiraz 95% Viognier 5%

The warm dry 2005 vintage produced fully ripe and concentrated Shiraz grapes, with the oldest vineyards on our Strathmore vineyard producing the most intensely flavoured grapes. These ripe grapes from 20 year old vines were destemmed and crushed to 5 tonne open fermenters along with lightly pressed Viognier skins fresh from the press. After four days of pre-fermentation cold maceration, yeast was added and the co-fermentation of Shiraz and Viognier began. The fermenting wine emitted a complex array of perfumed fruit aromas over the seven day fermentation period as the characters of both varieties were extracted from the grape skins at high fermentation temperatures. Following the completion of alcoholic fermentation the wine was macerated for an additional 15 days before being pressed to new tight grain French oak barrels. Aged for a total of 18 months in oak the wine developed further layers of complexity during maturation as the tannins softened and fruit flavours entwined. Final barrel selection and blending ensured balance, complexity and subtle tannin structure before the wine was bottled with minimal filtration.
The 2005 Southern Émigré Shiraz Viognier captures the fragrance of the perfumed Viognier aromas displayed with white pepper spice, ripe red plum and blackberry fruit flavours. The full bodied palate demonstrates the impact that the addition of Viognier skins has on the tannin structure of a wine, the silky smooth finish adds a degree of accessibility during the wines youth without detracting from the long term cellaring potential of the blend. Enjoy now with rich red meat and game dishes or cellar for further integration and softening of the Viognier characters as the Shiraz characters become more evident along with increased complexity.

Tasting Notes (PDF)

2005

2005 Southern ÉMIGRÉ Shiraz

Alcohol: 14.5%, Closure: Screw cap

Each year a number of small batch ferments are undertaken as we trial, refine and evolve our winemaking techniques to best capture and present the varietal and regional characters of our vineyards. The 2005 Southern Émigré Shiraz is a result of these trials and refinement. Produced from the same 20 year old vineyard as the Southern Émigré Shiraz Viognier, the grapes were fermented in 5 tonne open fermenters with a yeast strain isolated from the Rhone Valley in France. The freshly crushed grapes were inoculated with the selected yeast strain 24 hours after crushing with the temperature allowed to rapidly rise in the vigorously bubbling must as regular hand plunging ensured balanced extraction. As the fermentation neared completion one third of the wine volume was drained directly to new French oak barrels to complete fermentation, while the balance remained on skins for a further 15 days to further extract flavour, tannins and structure before being pressed progressively to new French oak barrels.
The 2005 Southern Émigré Shiraz displays intense black fruit flavours with overtones of black pepper spice and fragrant French oak. The deeply coloured wine has a firm tannin structure that lingers with intense jammy fruit, completes a full bodied palate that has great maturation potential. The wine can be consumed now by those whom enjoyed full bodied wines with a full tannin structure, or cellared for the long term by those with patience and the desire to enjoy a mature wine with great depth of flavour and complexity.

Tasting Notes (PDF)

2004 Southern ÉMIGRÉ Shiraz Viognier

Alcohol: 14.5%, Closure: Natural cork
Blend Shiraz 95% Viognier 5%
Grapes from our 15 year old Shiraz vineyard, harvested at peak flavour development were crushed to open fermenters. Harvested on the same day, our Viognier grapes were lightly pressed and the wet skins combined with selected batches of Shiraz for co-fermentation. Pressed to 100% new French oak barrels, the wine spent eighteen months in oak before blending and bottling. This is a full bodied, complex and textured wine displaying spicy red berry fruit and fine grain integrated oak characters. Vibrant perfumed floral aromas and the soft silky tannin texture of the Viognier will be the dominant character in the wines youth, with textured spice and red fruit characters of the Shiraz emerging with time. Ideal for long term cellaring. Decant before serving.

Tasting Notes (PDF)

2004

2003

2002

2000