By James Atkinson
Seppelt Great Western has announced it will soon release the 2004 vintage of one of Australia's rarest and most iconic wines, the Seppelt Show Sparkling Shiraz.
Seppelt's current senior winemaker Adam Carnaby and former chief winemaker Ian McKenzie last week gave media an exclusive pre-release tasting of the wine, set for release on the first Monday in September.
"The first thing that strikes me is just how youthful that wine is for a 10-year-old wine," McKenzie told journalists.
"It's a lovely, lovely wine but with more time I can see it evolving into something seriously nice."
The last release of the wine was in 2004 with the 1994 Seppelt Show Sparkling Shiraz.
Seppelt senior winemaker Adam Carnaby said that as with previous releases, the 2004 Show Sparkling Shiraz was made from selecting the very best Shiraz fruit from Great Western.
"What we've achieved is an exceptional sparkling shiraz that reflects the region †peppery, with spice, soft and fruity. This incredible character is unique to Great Western fruit, without heavy tannins which ensure it to age elegantly," he said.
Carnaby said the 2004 Show Sparkling Shiraz can be enjoyed now or cellared where it will age gracefully for another 30 to 50 years.
"The ability for it to age for so long is a result of combining the remarkable quality of Great Western shiraz, extended contact on lees and the bubbles under crown seal, which maintain its freshness and fruit purity for many years to come," he said.
The 2004 Seppelt Show Sparkling Shiraz recommended retail price is $100.00. It will available from the Seppelt cellar door and fine wine retailers nationally.