1999 MadFish Shiraz Tasting Notes

April 1999 saw terrific growing conditions in the South-West of Western Australia with generous sunshine allowing even fruit ripening and full development of varietal flavours. We were especially pleased with the progress of a few selected vineyards with high quality Shiraz in which the varietal characters of Shiraz in those regions were fully expressed in the fruit. The batches were harvested at full maturity and fermented in open stainless steel tanks with twice daily pumpovers to develop the fruit tannin. Maturation in new and 1 year old French oak for 12 months allowed the wine to develop and gain structure. The objective was to produce an elegant Shiraz with complex aromas and characters and with texture and structure that would reward cellaring, the use of French oak instead of traditional American oak gives rise to a wine of greater sophistication.

The 1999 MadFish Shiraz has a very youthful and vibrant appearance with a rich plum red colour and a dark black heart. The nose is highly rewarding with great complexity of varietal characters – spicy black pepper, aromatic violets and ripe cherry plums. An elegant fresh oak background provides a frame for the generous fruit aromas. The palate lives up to the high expectations created by the nose with peppery flavours from the cooler climate Great Southern region fruit melded with fruitier characters of plum and cherry from the warmer Margaret River and Pemberton fruit. There is good tannin texture providing structure to the palate aided by classy French oak flavours.