Cumulus Shiraz Orange Shiraz goodness

Cumulus Shiraz 2009 (Orange, NSW)
13.5%, Screwcap, $30
Source: Sample
www.cumuluswines.com.au

Effectively the flagship Cumulus red, this is sourced from two blocks within the estate, both of which sit above 600m altitude. 5% whole bunches, a pre ferment cold soak and plenty of winemaking love is heaped upon this. Looks pretty slick too. Clearly the Cumulus winemakers get to ‘play’ with this wine.

A rather minty cool climate Shiraz, this has more than a few St Joseph pangs about it with lead pencils, gherkins and blackcurrant on the nose, interlaced with rather fine vanillan oak. Palate wise it’s refined, just medium bodied and very silken, with a smooth, milk chocolate richness that makes it all just that little bit more lithe and slippery. It’s hardly an intense wine, nor is it especially tannic, but it is shapely, feminine and long. I kept thinking of long legs when tasting this wine (though that might be more about me than anything else).

Nice lines. 17.6//92