Region and Vineyards
Set in western Victoria, the Pyrenees is a hilly, cool-to-moderate zone of the Great Dividing Range known for structured, spice-laced Shiraz with natural freshness. Elevation, diurnal shifts and lean, ancient soils shape wines of intensity without heaviness. The Saddleback "S-Block" lies on a matrix of siltstone interlayered with red and yellow podzolic earth and scatterings of quartz, a poor, free-draining profile that limits vigor and concentrates flavor. Hand harvesting preserves berry integrity and allows precise picking windows for balance and aromatic purity.
In 2020, careful selection from this stony parcel yielded fruit with thick skins and vibrant acids. The site's exposure and drainage help Shiraz ripen evenly while retaining lift; the quartz and siltstone contribute a subtle mineral line that reads as graphite and spice in the glass. The estate is also progressing through organic conversion, further emphasizing soil health and terroir transparency in the finished wine.
Winemaking
Saddleback 2020 is 100% Shiraz, hand-picked at optimum maturity to retain natural freshness. Clusters are fully destemmed to foreground fruit purity and fine-grain tannins. Fermentation proceeds with indigenous yeasts in concrete tanks, a neutral, thermally stable vessel that preserves aromatics and textural precision. Extraction is gentle—pumping-over rather than aggressive punch-downs—followed by a deliberately long maceration of 4-6 weeks to refine structure and integrate phenolics.
Post-fermentation, the wine is matured 12 months in French oak barrels. The aim is balance rather than overt wood: oak polishes mouthfeel, supports mid-palate density and contributes subtle spice without masking the S-Block signature. Bottled with the estate's hallmark emphasis on clarity and site expression, the 2020 shows the poise and ageability typical of Pyrenees Shiraz made with minimalist, terroir-first intent.
Tasting Notes
- Color: Deep, inky purple-black with youthful violet hues; bright rim.
- Aroma: Liquorice and black fruits—blackberry, black cherry—layered with all-spice, graphite and a faint dark-cocoa note.
- Palate: Full-flavoured yet controlled; dark chocolate, ripe blackberries and spice ride on sleek acidity and fine, persistent tannins; long, savory finish with mineral poise.
Did you know?
The Terlato & Chapoutier estate is a Franco-Australian collaboration dedicated to single-parcel wines in Victoria's high country. The vineyard is under conversion to organic farming, a commitment underscored on the technical sheet and reflected in the wine's textural purity.
Wine Pairing Ideas
- Beef filet mignon: mirrors the wine's plush core; fine tannins and savory spice complement seared crust and tender texture.
- Lamb backstrap with rosemary: herbal spice echoes Shiraz's all-spice and liquorice while the wine's freshness lifts the richness.
- Pepper-crusted venison: gamey depth resonates with dark fruit and cocoa notes; lively acidity keeps the palate vivid.
- Charred eggplant & mushroom ragù: umami intensity harmonizes with graphite-spice and the wine's mineral length.
