Elderton Lorraine Cabernet Shiraz Merlot Blend 2021

After a relatively easy-going few years, 2019 was a vintage to remind us that we are actually farmers at the whim of the weather. With average winter rains, budburst seemed normal. However a nasty frost hit at a crucial time for Shiraz, particularly in Nuriootpa, meaning the best part of growing tips were burnt off. Fortunately, there was some new growth to follow. Although less fruitful, this gave enough fruit to ripen and produce a very reduced volume of 2019 Ode to Lorraine. Cabernet Sauvignon goes through budburst later, so it missed this frost event, as did the Merlot, of which there is a tiny percentage in this wine. Owing to the warm and very dry ripening season, fruit flavours are intense and fermentation was managed carefully to ensure balanced tannin extraction. The Ode to Lorraine parcels are matured in new and seasoned French oak prior to blending for bottle. - Jules Ashmead and Brock Harrison