Cracker Barrels

2022 Shiraz Cabernet, McLaren Vale, South Australia

Cabernet Sauvignon 57% and Shiraz 43%. This limited release showcases beauty, harmony and elegance in a classic Australian Shiraz blend. Depth, complexity aged for 18 months.

Description

The extremely limited Cracker Barrels is the result of winemaker Ashleigh Seymour selecting up to 4 barrels which she considers to be of the highest quality or ‘Crackers’ each vintage.

Awards

Wine Orbit

95 Points

Wine Showcase Magazine

94 Points

Halliday Wine Companion

92 Points

Details

• RegionMcLaren Vale, South Australia
• Vintage2022
• TypeRed Wine
• VarietyShiraz Cabernet
• Variety CompositionOrganic | Biodynamic
• Vegan Friendly✔
• Organic Wine✔
• Volume750ml
• Alcohol Volume14%
• PH3.59
• Standard Drinks8.3
• Acidity6.12
• Sugar3.2
• ClosureScrewCap
• Vintage NotesWell, you thought 2021 was good but I bet you hadn’t heard about 2022 yet! With most of the country experiencing extreme La Niña conditions, in McLaren Vale we were hit with the lucky stick and enjoyed plenty of soil moistening rain through the winter but no extreme events. Budburst was a breath of new life after a long cool Winter and conditions were ideal up to flowering where things went a bit haywire. Crazy Melbourne type weather blew a lot of the flowers away before they could turn into fruit… but less fruit, more quality and coming off a bumper 2021 vintage it helped balance things out. We had a lovely cool summer, which helped ripening happen nice and slow, just the way we like it. Vintage was well spread out with fine days through most of March allowing us to choose when to pick and preserve stunning, natural acidity.
• Vineyard NotesShiraz Thomas Block EJ, Cabernet Jones Block Don’s Corner
• Tasting Notes[Paxton 2022 Cracker Barrels.pdf](https://secure.withwine.com/Public/File?fileName=upload%2f1668%2fproduct%2fo-LM1iXlc0SsKnMt8woNQQ.pdf&download=False)
• ColourDeep aubergine
• BouquetThe nose of this wine tantalises the senses with a mesmerizing bouquet. Like walking into a pastry shop, aromas of plum crostata and salted caramel mingle with the earthy allure of sandalwood and bay thyme. Notes of cracked coriander seeds and curry leaf add an exotic twist, while hints of loganberries and grenadine dance in the background, promising a symphony of flavours.
• PalateBuilding like a suspense thriller, louder and louder until the inevitable explosion and post-chaotic calm. Initially chewy, tight and grippy tannins build to a crescendo before mellowing out to hints of biochar, heady musk, dusty sandalwood and a moreish acid touch.
• Peak Drinking / Cellaring PotentialGOOD: 2024-2025 - BETTER: 2026-2029 - BEST: 2030-2040
• VinificationThe Biodynamic Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon single vineyard parcels are hand-picked and fermented separately in small open fermenters, delicately hand plunged and tasted daily until beautiful balance is achieved. After pressing, the wine is racked into French oak barriques of varying ages for malolactic fermentation and subsequent ageing. After 15 months resting, each barrel is carefully evaluated by our winemaking team to determine the perfect match 
for this quintessential Australian blend.
• Music MatchSimply the Best — Tina Turner
• WinemakerAshleigh Seymour