Region: Australia, McLaren Vale

Grape variety: Grenache & Shiraz

Background: Started by the late Doug Collet in 1973, Woodstock in McLaren Vale has always had an eye on the future. As well as red, white and rose wines, Woodstock has a ken focus on fortified wines too. When his son and current owner, Scott took over in 1982, the tradition has continued with fine wine making from the old vines on the property. Ben Glaetzer is now the chief winemaker with Scott managing vines – a winning team as shown by the Heartland range.

Winemaking process: The fermenting juice of ripe Grenache and Shiraz are drained off their skins when about half of the natural sugars have fermented by yeast creating about 8% alcohol. Enough pure grape spirit is then added (“Fortifying” the wine) to an alcohol level of 18.5%. Aging this in small old barrels oxidises the colours and grape flavours and concentrates the sugars, acids and rancio flavours, making a luscious style. The alcohol content rises some more during this process and finishes at about 19%.

Tasting notes: Medium amber in colour with aromas of caramel, figs and hints of cinnamon. Intense, luscious flavours with persistent nutty caramel aftertaste. Fine spirit characters balance the sweetness producing an elegant and lengthy finish. A fine, fruity yet soft “Tawny Port” style made by Scott Collett.

Reviews: James Halliday Australian Wine Companion - 2017 Edition Woodstock Old Fortified - Rating: 92 - 'Crushed and destemmed, matured in new and used American and French oak for 18 months. Full golden-brown; nutty, spicy, sweet Christmas cake with a surge of fruit on the finish, dry rather than cloyingly sweet.'

VEGAN