Mount Horrocks Alexander Vineyard Watervale Shiraz 2021
This Shiraz is vibrant in colour with aromas of cherry, blackberry and cassis, all complemented by hints of toasted spice and tobacco leaf. On the palate the wine is deep and succulent with earthy tannins, balanced acidity and along flavourful finish.
Strikingly beautiful and isolated, the Alexander Vineyard is located at the extreme north-eastern corner of the Watervale sub-region of the Clare Valley. Planted in 2002 at an elevation of 450 metres, it is exclusively the source of shiraz grapes for the Alexander Vineyard Shiraz.
20% of the grapes were kept as whole bunches and crushed by foot in open fermenters. This portion is pressed, lees settled and run straight into French burgundy barrels for maturation. The remaining 80% underwent fermentation in French oak barriques, of which 40% were new, and the remainder one to two years old. The final blend was assembled and bottled without fining.
| RRP | £33.99 |
| Bottle size | 75cl |
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Alcoholic strength | 14% |
| Country | Australia |
| Region | South Australia |
| Subregion | Clare Valley |
| Grapes | Shiraz 100% |
| Residual sugar (g/l) | 1.2 |
| Vegetarian | Yes |
| Vegan | Yes |
| Organic | Yes |
| Biodynamic | Yes |
| Closure | Screwcap |
| Winemaker | Stephanie Toole |
Mount Horrocks Wines, in Clare Valley, is owned by winemaker Stephanie Toole, who purchased the estate in 1993 after a career selling fine wines in Perth. By April 1998, she had renovated the historic Auburn Railway station as her cellar door and by 2000 she had acquired land in Watervale to plant her own vineyards. The grape varieties are carefully matched to each site's soil and microclimate. These include the 'Cordon Cut' vineyard, close to the cellar door, which has been planted only with Riesling. The 'Alexander' vineyard at Watervale is planted with just Shiraz, while the ‘Watervale’ vineyard boasts Riesling, SemiIIon, Nero d'Avola and Cabernet Sauvignon. With this level of care, and attention to detail, it is unsurprising that Stephanie’s wines are now regarded as among Clare Valley’s finest. To quote James Halliday’s 2023 Wine Companion, “Stephanie Toole has never deviated from the pursuit of excellence in the vineyard and winery. The attention to detail and refusal to cut corners are obvious in all her wines.”
Mount Horrocks are now ‘A grade certified’ organic and biodynamic, one of only two wineries locally to do so. As all fruit is hand-picked and gently handled, fining is unnecessary, meaning all the wines are suitable for vegans and vegetarians. Having overseen the regeneration of the land, Stephanie believes this involves more than certification; it requires a different way of thinking. Classic, no-compromise winemaking combined with a fully integrated organic and biodynamic approach to growing and making sets Mount Horrocks Wines apart from the status quo.
Stephanie’s wines are designed with food in mind, emphasising structure and generous fruit flavours. She restricts production to no more than 2,500 cases each year to achieve her aims of quality and single-vineyard expression.
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