11/05/2010

New Release Scotts Creek Organic Shiraz

Scotts Creek is one of Australia’s largest and most significant natural wetland environments and home to Scotts Creek Wines. This area is a valuable part of the Australian wildlife system providing habitats and breeding sites for a diverse range of birds, fish and native wildlife.

Scotts Creek vineyard is located just outside the historical township of Morgan in the Riverland, South Australia. Established in 1974, under the direction of Australian Wine Industry pioneer Max Schubert, the site was selected for its stony soils over a limestone base to produce grape varieties of immense character.

The historic vineyard covers 372 hectares and overlooks the Scotts Creek wetlands, one of the River Murray’s major remaining wetlands. With the aim of returning the 870 hectares of wetlands to its natural state, the area is well on the way to achieving this feat, having won the River Murray Catchment Environment Award in 2003.

Wetlands are a fundamental and valuable part of the Australian wildlife system providing habitats, breeding sites, and drought refuges for a diversity of birds and other fauna and flora. They are an important feature in the dry Australian landscape.

The future vision of Scotts Creek Wetlands is to continue to retain its prominent status by maintaining the biodiversity of its fauna and flora, in particular the endangered species present: Growling Grass Frog (alias Southern Bell Frog) and the Regent Parrot.

Scotts Creek Organic Shiraz wine was made at a National Organic Program Certified Organic Winemaker and bottler. This has ensured that the quality control process and organic status of the fruit is maintained all the way from vine to bottle. Given the intensity and abundance of ripe fruit characters in this wine, the objective was to make an easy-drinking style, with oak used to add complexity and further layers of character in a supporting, rather than dominating role.

Deep garnet-red in colour with purple highlights on the meniscus. Complex and generous bouquet of fruit and spice, plums, mulberry, liquorice, ripe forest berries and a hint of gaminess – all underscored by toasty, coconut nuances derived from extended oak maturation. This is a rich, well-rounded red wine that is smooth, complex and very long in flavour. The palate is the highlight of the wine, exhibiting the rich and vibrant varietal berry-fruit flavours.