With the release of the 2017 Schoolhouse Shiraz just around the corner (likely May) I thought I would open a bottle of the 2003 vintage from the cellar.
2017 had similar growing conditions to 2003. That is warm and dry, then the occasional shower and heatwave, followed by a completely dry and pressure free harvest.
The vines are now 14 years older and so we are beginning to see consistency in the overall structure of the wines made from this unique bench of gravel. The primary red fruit characters evolve over time becoming more integrated with the spiciness typical of this wine. The soft earthy tannins already evident in Schoolhouse 2017 will merge with the fruit over time supported by a firm backbone of crisp acidity.
The combination of these factors in the dry vintages enable a few vineyards in the Hunter to produce Shiraz wines capable of developing into some of the finest Australia can produce.
The 2003 Schoolhouse demonstrates the heights Shiraz can achieve with its intriguing earth and dried spice aromas in fine balance combining depth and concentration. In the mouth it just lingers deliciously on and on.
As a youngster 2017 Schoolhouse has all these characters currently wrapped in a tightly knit, yet full bodied, wine of latent power.
