2017

Five Shillings

Australia, South Australia, Barossa

Release Price

Drink Window

14.5

ABV

3.54

pH

5.85

TA

RS

From The Winemaker

Five Shillings pays tribute to Paul Gotthard, the second-generation Henschke winemaker of the early Barossa Lutheran pioneers of South Australia. In 1862 he and his pioneering father Johann Christian established the Henschke winery in the high country of the historic Eden Valley, planted seven acres of vines, and in 1868 sold the first wines. In 1873, after a transfer of five shillings, he continued on the winemaking tradition from his father and began to build a reputation for quality wines. Among the first wines they produced in the 1860s were ‘dry white’ (likely made from riesling) and ‘dry red’ (likely made from shiraz and mataro). This wine replicates the blend of Gotthard's early ‘dry reds’ and is produced from low yielding, ungrafted, biodynamically grown Eden Valley shiraz planted on 540 million-year-old red-brown earths, and blended with mataro growing on the sandy soils of the Barossa Valley.

Growing Conditions

A later start to picking and a mild period of ripening finished with the last grapes being picked in mid-May. A wet 2016 winter gave us a good foundation for our predominately dry-grown vines on their own roots, and a cool, wet and fiercely windy spring followed, with a slightly higher spring rainfall than the Barossa Valley, which delayed flowering, though conditions during set meant that yields were at average levels. A mild summer with regular rainfall events followed, which allowed the grapes to reach full physiological maturity. The significant rainfall events largely missed our area and therefore we harvested the majority of our grapes in healthy condition. As always, careful hand picking the vineyard and sorting of grapes as they were processed made sure that quality was not compromised.

Nose

Lifted and vibrant aromas of black cherry, spiced plum, blueberry and cranberry with floral hints of rose petals, flowering lavender, crushed oregano and vanilla.

Palate

Rich, succulent flavours of plum and forest fruits are lush on entry, while earthy complexities and a peppery mid-palate provide balance for savoury tannins and a soft finish.