Tyrrell's Rufus Stone Heathcote Shiraz 2019
(Hunter Valley, Australia) - [WS 91]

In the year 1100, an errant arrow fired by Sir Walter Tyrrell, an ancestor of the Tyrrell family, killed King William II (known as Rufus). Today, the site of this infamous incident in New Forest, England, is marked by the Rufus Stone. This Heathcote estate blend Shiraz is named after this fascinating chapter in Tyrrell family history.

VINIFICATION and MATURATION

Heathcote is one of Australia’s exciting red wine regions. Its unique topography, combined with a temperate climate and ancient Cambrian soils, produces Shiraz fruit with great depth and intensity. Planted in 1994, this 2019 release of Rufus Stone Shiraz marks 25 years since Bruce Tyrrell planted the first vines in the Heathcote region. There were dry conditions throughout winter and good rains during spring prepared the vineyard nicely for summer. A warm-to-hot January and February sped up ripening in the vineyard, resulting in ealier picking. Grapes were fermented in a combination of open and closed top fermenters. Maturation took place in predominantly French oak barriques (20% new) for 18 months before bottling in March 2021.

Ratings & Reviews:

91 Points - Wine Spectator:
"Shows a wonderful thread of pure, ripe fruit flavors, with black cherry, baking spices, salted black licorice and date-nut bread, plus tobacco and earth notes and velvety tannins. Reveals black tea hints that linger on the finish. Drink now through 2030. 7,000 cases made, 172 cases imported." - MW (Sep 2023)