Winemaker’s notes: Growing conditions began well for the 2015 Barossa vintage with above average early and late winter rains that filled the soils and dams so the vines got away to a healthy start. A drier and warmer than average spring, with some frosty nights, meant some vineyards were affected with mid-late spring frosts, resulting in reduced yields in some parts of the Barossa. Rain, mild conditions and cool nights in mid- 2015 Barossa Valley summer were favorable for steadily ripening grapes and vibrant flavor development. A burst Shiraz of late-summer hot weather resulted in an early start to vintage across much of the valley, with many varieties ripening together. The 2015 vintage is remembered as one of the shortest and fastest vintages following an almost near perfect growing season. A great vintage was capped off by average grape yields and high Description: quality fruit. Fox in the Hen House Barossa Valley Shiraz is rich, dense and intense with an inky, mulberry- The Shiraz was de-stemmed, not crushed, into hue. A subtle and sophisticated nose leads to a open fermenters, then pumped over and cap powerful palate of ripe black cherries and the plunged 2-3 times daily during ferment for darkest and richest chocolate, integrated with 10-14 days to maximize color and flavor from ripe dark juicy plum flesh, traces of freshly the skins, and minimize phenolic extraction. ground coffee beans, hints of black olive, peat The wine is then Basket Pressed off the skins and aniseed. Textural and well-balanced, this and 30-40% undergoes barrel aging in a mix of wine features mildly smooth tannins, leading to 70% French and 30% American new oak for up a powerful but harmonious finish. to 18 months. The result is a deeply colored, opulent Shiraz-fruit driven wine with a smooth, fleshy tannin mouthfeel and lingering, subtle Variety/Vintage: Shiraz, 2015 oak flavors complimenting the palate finish. Country: Australia Region: Barossa Valley, South Australia Serving hints: Varietal yield: Grown at 3 tons per acre Enjoy at room temperature with richly flavored Alcohol Strength: 14.9% by volume foods like slow cooked beef casseroles or a Residual Sugar: 1.1 g/L kangaroo fillet with dark chocolate & chili sauce pH: 3.65 (don’t knock it until you’ve tried it!) Volatile Acidity: 0.46 Titratable Acidity: 5.8 Case Production: 2,000 cases Bottle size: 750 mL Suggested price: US$ 17