The 2021 GCV Celtic Farm Shiraz Cabernet is a really attractive Clare red blend which will repay medium term cellaring
Deep ruby red with aromatic notes of blackberry, cassis, and subtle eucalyptus. Matured in French oak, this wine has developed a complex structure, adding texture, spice, and a long, fine-grained tannin profile.
Reviews
94 Points - Wine Review Simple
“Vibrant: Bursting with life and flavor.
Bold: It makes a statement with every sip.
Velvety: Smooth as silk, caressing your palate”
93 Points - Winepilot
An attractive vibrant magenta hue. There is early complexity evident on the nose, with notes of warm earth, cigar boxes, licorice, smoked meats and blackcurrants. Winelovers will also find a touch of bergamot and some molten chocolate. Good intensity throughout to be found here, and excellent length. A savoury style with fine balance for the acidity, fruit and tannins. Like this a lot. Enjoy over the next eight to twelve years
93 Points - Wine Orbit
Generously fruited and fragrant with blackberry, warm spice, thyme and roasted nut, it’s succulent and weighty in the mouth with silky texture and fine-grained tannins. Generous and flavoursome with tasty flavours, making it highly enjoyable
92 points - Wine Front
There’s an impression of authenticity to these Gaelic Cemetery wines. They are both bold with fruit and overtly dry, with enough oak to bolster and support but no more than that. Blackberry, plum, earth and rust characters run gradually into leather, licorice and tar. It’s a balanced, warm, satisfying red.
92 points - Wine Reviewer
A deep red in colour with purple hues in the glass, the shiraz gives plum and black cherry, with the cabernet providing brambly blackberry fruit and oak a veneer of richness on the nose. The palate has firm acidity and tannin with more savoury black berry fruits on show, on the mid palate there is a bitter dark chocolate influence before a return of plusher plum like fruit to finish and an inflection of brown spice
Tasting Notes
On the nose, this wine presents ripe dark fruits of blackberry and cassis, complemented by hints of eucalyptus and cedar. The palate is medium-bodied, showcasing flavors of dark plum, black cherry, and a touch of spice. Well-integrated tannins provide structure, while a balanced acidity ensures freshness. The finish is long and satisfying, with ...
On the nose, this wine presents ripe dark fruits of blackberry and cassis, complemented by hints of eucalyptus and cedar. The palate is medium-bodied, showcasing flavors of dark plum, black cherry, and a touch of spice. Well-integrated tannins provide structure, while a balanced acidity ensures freshness. The finish is long and satisfying, with lingering notes of dark chocolate and subtle oak influence.
Technical Details
Region
100% Clare Valley, South Australia. One of Australia's oldest and most premium wine regions, famous all around the world for it's Riesling and Shiraz wines in particular
Vineyard
Single vineyard – Gaelic Cemetery Vineyard
Varietal
65% Shiraz, 33% Cabernet 2% Malbec. 20 months in old French barrels
When to Drink
Enjoy now or cellar for 10 years 14.0% Alcohol
Vintage Notes
Growing Season
The 2021 vintage conditions for Gaelic Cemetery Vineyards were cool and dry producing average yields for all varieties including Shiraz, Cabernet and Malbec. An even budburst through spring and good fruit set were an ideal start to the growing season. Dry conditions continued over the summer period with a very hot and windy day on January 24 causing some vine stress, particularly for the earlier ripening varieties.
Winemaking
The Shiraz for this blend was picked on February 17, with the balance of the Shiraz, Cabernet and Malbec harvested over February 25th and 26th. All the reds showed excellent colour and richness at moderate alcohol levels. The grapes were machine harvested in the cool, early hours of the morning, transported to the winery to be crushed and destemmed. Fermentation was carried out in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. After pressing, the wine was aged in old French oak barrels for 20 months before blending and bottling.
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