Hay Shed Hill|Margaret River|Premium Wines

There were some worries early in the piece with terrible conditions across Margaret River through November, wet, cold and windy it did look like 2009 could be a shocker but the weather improved and conditions remained ideal for the rest of vintage. In the end the main effect of this poor weather during flowering and fruit set was poor yields across all varieties in general. Of course we all tell ourselves that the low yields produce good quality fruit – which is in fact the truth – but just a little more fruit would have been nice to appease the accountants.

The growing season was as close to perfect as any farmer has the right to ask for, cool but sunny, no rain to speak of with nice soft breezes to take the edge of the midday sun. The reds have amazing colour and will, make terrific wines, even though the cost of growing the grapes may exceed

Michael Kerrigan

Winemaking

Shiraz from selected premium Margaret River vineyards were used to make this 2008 Pitchfork Shiraz. Shiraz was fermented in open stainless steel tanks with twice daily pumpovers aiding fruit tannin development. Maturation in new, 1, 2 and 3 year old French oak for 12 months encouraged wine development and structural complexity. The objective was to produce an elegant Shiraz with complex aromas and characters and with texture and structure, the use of French oak instead of traditional American oak gives rise to a wine of greater sophistication. 

Colour

 Vibrant youthful brilliant hue of good depth colour.

Nose

Ripe cherry and plum fruits with chocolaty influences.

Palate

The palate displays good depth of fruit concentration, ripe sweet fruit fleshiness in the mid palate and good flavour extension.
 
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