Forefathers 2004 Shiraz, McLaren Vale, Australia

Philosophy

Forefathers Shiraz is produced from a spectacular, 15 acre vineyard, located on Coppermine Road in McLaren Vale, South Australia. This Shiraz by Forefathers is one of three single vineyard wines produced by Goldschmidt Vineyards. The Forefathers' wines include a Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough in New Zealand and a Cabernet Sauvignon from Alexander Valley in California.

"Forefathers" means "the best appellation, or the forefather appellation, for that variety in the New World".

Winemaking

With Forefathers wines, we are looking for structure, intensity, and complexity. We select only ripe grapes with excellent maturity and well-developed flavors. The Forefathers Shiraz is made using traditional Australian winemaking techniques, with short time on skins and fermentation in barrel. After ferment is completed the wine is barrel racked and left in French oak for 12 months. The wine remains unfiltered and unfined, so preserving as much of the natural flavors a possible.

Characteristics

McLaren Vale fruit characters for Shiraz are wonderfully spicy, rich. and delicious. There are notes of plum, black pepper, eastern spices and soft note of sweet vanilla. The barrel ferment technique makes the wine fruit-forward, with sweet, ripe tannins and early integration of oak.

Winemaker Comments

"This one is the best wines we have ever made under the Shiraz label, being a similar vintage to the 2001. However, in 2004 we had very low yields culminating in big pepper spice flavors and very supple tannins. The key to Forefathers is balance and complexity with underlying power, and in 2004 we have the power but we especially have this beautiful harmony and complexity. On the palate the wine is firm, textural, and viscous. The long finish and silky mouth feel makes the wine drink beautifully now, and it will certainly improve in the cellar over the next five years." -- Nick Goldschmidt

Goldschmidt Vineyard | Forefathers

Goldschmidt Vineyards | P.O. Box 1639, Healdsburg, CA 95448 USA | T: 707.433.2061 | F: 707.433.3426
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