In 2021, we decided to go back to our historic roots and make Vat 8 Shiraz Cabernet as a multi-regional blend. The Shiraz is sourced from some of the best parcels on the Tyrrell’s Estate ‘Ashmans’ property, with the Cabernet Sauvignon coming from McLaren Vale. The 2021 vintage blend is 60% Shiraz and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon..
The autumn and winter months of 2020 saw the worst drought in a generation be broken with substantial rainfall, we led into an outstanding growing season for the 2021 vintage. A cool summer then gave us even, stress-free ripening with some heat around Australia Day that was perfectly timed at the final stages of ripening. With an early budburst and later than normal harvesting, the fruit had a longer than normal hang time, which meant that all of the fruit had wonderful flavours balanced by a high natural acidity. After fermentation in stainless steel vats, both parcels were matured separately before blending in November 2021. The blended wine then finished its maturation in French oak barriques until bottling in April 2022.
A modern interpretation of the Great Australian Red that respects the tradition of varietal blending to make a more rounded wine. The wine shows intense plum fruit sweetness from the Shiraz with dark berry and chocolate characters. The Cabernet component adds to the density and structure of the wine.
Alcohol – 14.0%
Cellaring – 5-10 years