Spinifex Louis Sparkling Shiraz NV

Spinifex Louis Sparkling Shiraz is a dry, bottle-aged sparkling Shiraz from very old Barossa vines.

Sparkling Shiraz built its reputation on sweetness and sheer force; this is a deliberate step away from that, with residual sugar at 3.5 grams per litre and clear varietal definition in its place. The base wine came from a gnarly vineyard planted in 1898 in the deep sands of Vine Vale, mostly from the 2005 vintage with additions from 2006 and 2007. It spent three years in barrel and then a decade on lees, which is an extraordinary amount of patience for the style, and it shows in the savoury, mineral character running beneath the fruit.

Dry and complex, with dark berry fruit, earth, spice and a savoury, mineral finish in place of sweetness. Serve cool, around 12 to 14 degrees, in a red wine glass. Christmas ham, roast turkey, duck, or a mature cheddar.