Shinas Estate The Executioner 2020, South Eastern Australia

‘Executioner’ is the Judge’s take on a ‘reserve’ wine. This is the fifth release of this hedonistic ‘concoction. Made up of the oldest Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon plantings on the estate vineyard with a splash of Viognier. The grapes are picked on flavor at optimum ripeness, gently crushed and each parcel of fruit is fermented separately on skins for 5 to 7 days with controlled temperature to prevent rapid fermentation retaining fruit flavor. The finished wine is pressed off skins and stored in seasoned oak until it has gone through malolactic fermentation, racked and sulfured and further aged for 2 years before bottling. It spends 1 year of bottle aging prior its release. The color is opaque and burgundy to brick red, suggesting a lot of extraction and a little maturity in barrel. The nose suggests softness and richness, with a loamy herbal aromas that developed into dark berries and mocha. The palate shows red cherry/berry fruit and a nice hit of spice. The weight of the wine is thick without being heavy. 2020 vintage – Shiraz 55%, Cabernet Sauvignon 43% , Viognier 2% . Oak: 24 months in seasoned French & American barriques.Bottle aged 1 year. Shinas Estate is situated in the northwest region of Victoria. This region is known for its Mediterranean-like climate, classic wines and great food.