Hedonist
About The Wine
2021 Shiraz
The fruit for the Hedonist Shiraz comes from the estate grown Australian certified organic/biodynamic vineyard in the Willunga foothills, as well as from various Australian certified organic and biodynamic vineyards in the Sellicks Foothills, Blewitt Springs and Kangarilla - all from vastly different soil profiles and aspects across the McLaren Vale district
Vintage
The 2021 ripening season was met with our average rainfall for the first time in at least 3 vintages. Not only did McLaren Vale experience a wet winter, but also a luscious spring and a significantly cooler summer. This created magnificent ripening conditions from fruit set and flowering through version to final ripening. Yields were back up compared with the previous few vintages, coupled with arguably the best quality vintage so far this century. While vintage was long and drawn out, it created a relaxed picking environment and enabled superb balance of natural acidity, texture and tannin in the resulting wines.
Winemaking
The Shiraz was harvested and destemmed in stages from late February until mid-april. The grapes went straight from the vineyard into open top fermenters - with a significant portion remaining whole berries - for between 8-17 days, apart from a small of the fruit which was hand-picked and fermented whole bunch. Malolactic fermentation and maturation took place in 25% French oak foudres (4500L-6000L), 40% 2 & 3 year old French oak hogsheads (300L), 35% seasoned French oak hogshead (300L) for 15 months before final blending and bottling. No Fining.
Tasting
Colour - Deep red with purple hues
Bouquet - Macadamia, poached rhubarb, liquorice and a touch of clove.
Palate - Generous and complex. Fine powdery tannins build structure while scaffolding the rush of fruit filling out the middle palate.
About The Winery
The team at The Hedonist takes a holistic approach to every wine and the results speak for themselves. Bright, balanced and moreish, our wines not only celebrate the variety but also the McLaren Vale region.
Using certified biodynamic estate grown fruit as well as carefully sourced organic and biodynamic grapes, we are very proud of our ecological and sustainable focus.
The winemaking team is led by industry statesman Walter Clappis, with his daughter Kimberly and her husband James creating a dynamic trio in the small family-run winery. Walter's experience and wisdom, couple with the energy and enthusiasm of the next generation has created the perfect balance for The Hedonist going forward. the team tries to minimise intervention in the cellar, allowing the fruit to shine.
Our biodynamic vineyard is in the willunga foot hills of McLaren Vale, where the soil is rich loam over clay with patches of underlying limestone. Our biodynamic practices promote soil health and maintain a balanced and diverse population of soil biology. In keeping with our holistic philosophies, the vineyard is managed with the absence of pesticides and herbicides, instead under-vine slashing and mid-row cover-cropping are used to control weeds.