Named after a set of medieval wooden leg stocks, which stand in the town of Woodstock in Oxfordshire, England, “The Stocks” Shiraz is Woodstock’s flagship wine. This single vineyard Shiraz is made from 31 rows of low-yielding vines, planted circa 1900 on a sandy north slope of Woodstock Estate.

Vintage Current Vintage (Enquiries Welcome)

Winemakers  Scott Collett & Ben Glaetzer  

Varietal 100% Shiraz

Winemaking  The old vines on sandy soils are inspected thoroughly during veraison each January; exposed bunches are removed to prevent sunburn and hidden bunches are thinned to ensure even ripening. Ideally, each remaining bunch will have about two leaves between them and the sun. Yields are deliberately kept low (average yield is about three bottles per vine) and the vineyard essentially dry grown resulting in intense concentration of flavour. The Shiraz fruit is harvested at night to preserve the delicate berry flavours. The grapes are then crushed and cold soaked for 24 hours before fermentation in small open fermenters and hand plunged twice daily for at least 5 days. The wine is pressed and then finishes ferment in carefully selected French and American oak barrels in a temperature controlled cellar. Each barrel is monitored, and only the finest selected to continue the lineage of Woodstock ‘The Stocks’ Shiraz.

Aroma  rich and ripe fruit with explosive full-on flavors of blackberry, dark plum and chocmints, all balanced and well integrated with oak.

Palate Very soft and approachable in youth, with a long, silky-smooth finish. Under this soft exterior is a solid backbone of ripe, long layered grape and oak rounded tannins with no sharp edges. ‘The Stocks’ single vineyard personality will grow through the initial primary fruit and vanillin oak flavours resulting in a complex and sleek demeanour. A powerful elegant wine which can cellar for over a decade.

Serving Suggestion The powerful, rich tannins of The Stocks will stand up well to rich dishes like Braised oxtail and Swiss Brown mushroom risoni with a seeded mustard butter and porcini jus… Or just savour on its own at the end of a meal or with some fine selected cheeses.

Analysis

Alcohol     15.5 %
pH     3.51
Acidity     6.7 g/l
Residual Sugar     0.5 g/l

Reviews

The grapes come from 31 rows of low-yielding estate shiraz planted circa 1900, and notwithstanding this pedigree, there is also a selection of the best barrels. It is a profound, full-bodied wine, its stygian black fruits and dark chocolate the essence of McLaren Vale, the tannins well balanced; the alcohol is not obvious, and the trade-off has been accepted by Ben Glaetzer. To: 2027 Rating: 95