The Opportunist Shiraz, Langhorne Creek 2017

We’ve all got a mate who, despite the calamities befalling everyone else, always lands with his bum in the butter. When everyone else sees doom and gloom, The Opportunist sees blue skies and sunshine. Love him or hate him, The Opportunist always comes out on top.

Vintage Conditions

Returning to something approaching the historic norm, the 2017 vintage season was defined by a wet late winter followed by good flowering weather and then very mixed conditions throughout the growing period. This resulted in a late harvest. sometimes 4-6 weeks later than the precocious 2015. Quality was generally good though time spent in the vineyard as the difference between making good wine or great wine.

Winemaking

As for all of our wines, the fruit for the Opportunist is picked on the way up to ripeness rather than on the way down. This way we achieve freshness and energy but not at the expense of flavour. We retain as many whole berries as possible to increase vibrancy and succulence. Winemaking is simple and is followed by 8 months on oak to increase texture and varietal expression.

Tasting

An aromatic bouquet of ripe fruits, cherries and blackcurrants, with notes of freshly ground coffee, dark chocolate, peppermint, liquorice and subtle pepper. Thick and smooth with good balanced fruit weight.

Alcohol: 14.5%

Total  Acidity: 5.5

pH: 3.8

Residual Sugar: ,2g/l

SO2: 74mg/l

Fining:

Vegan: Yes

Vegetarian: Yes