Wine By The Dozen

2004 Cabernet / Shiraz Dozen
	2004 Thistle Hill Cabernet / Shiraz   Tasting Notes   This elegant cabernet shiraz blend has rich aromas of blackberry, pepper and oak, which excite the senses. The palate is soft, showing blackcurrant and spicy oak with a soft lingering finish. This wine is drinking well now and will continue to mature for a few more years.   Awards   Bronze Medal            2005 Mudgee Wine Show     Winemaking Notes   The 2004 Cabernet Shiraz was sourced from grapes picked by hand on 31/3/2004(Shiraz) and 29/3/2004(Cabernet). The grapes arrived at the winery in good condition at 14.5 degrees C and 13.3 degrees Baume. The grapes were crushed and 1 kG of AWRI 796 yeast added to dominate fermentation. 2 G/L HTa+ was added and the temperature controlled between 22 and 27 degrees C. The grapes were pressed off skins on 7/04/2004 and 8/4/2004. The wine was racked on 31/5/2004 and the following additions made: Tartaric acid 2 G/L, Tannin 200 mG/L, Sulphur 50 mG/L. The wine was racked on 25/10/2004, 10 mG/L S was added and the wine was transferred to oak barrels. The mix of oak may vary slightly from year to year but is made up of approximately 25% new oak and 25% 1, 2, and 3 year old oak. Half the oak is French and the other half is American. The wine is racked about every 3 months where acid and sulphur additions are done in tank. The barrels are cleaned with a high-pressure spray and the wine returned to the barrels. During such an operation on 21/07/2006 the wine was earth filtered with course / medium earth. Final chemical additions were made on 17/08/2006 and the wine was bottled on 18/08/2006.   Technical Data               Date Picked:             29/3/2004             Ripeness:                   13.3 Baume             pH                               3.67             Total Acidity               6.5 G/L             Total Sulphur              70.4 ppm             Sugar                          < 1 G/L             Alcohol                       14 % by volume	QTY: