Saltram 2001 The Eighth Maker Shiraz-An Anticipated Release

Saltram Wine Estate and Senior Winemaker, Nigel Dolan, are pleased to announce the anticipated release of the exclusive Saltram 2001 The Eighth Maker Shiraz.

The second ever release of this wine, it is the pre-cursor to the Jimmy Watson-winning 2002 vintage, set for release in 2006.

Unlike its award winning next generation, the 2001 release has never been entered into an Australian wine show. Considering the success of The Eighth Maker 2002 vintage - the curiosity surrounding this wine is palpable. For the first two vintages, The Eighth Maker was only ever meant to be a foray into an interesting, boutique winemaking experience. It offers different sensibilities to that of the iconic Saltram No. 1 Shiraz, which enjoys a loyal and devoted following.

Saltram’s “Eighth Maker”, Nigel Dolan, is clear about what The Eighth Maker Shiraz will offer.

“From the first vintage in 2000, I had a philosophy about the wine which hasn’t really changed. It is always meant to be a wine which is produced in small quantities, and my personal interpretation of the great Barossa Shiraz tradition at Saltram,” he said.

“That’s come from watching my father, while he was with Saltram, learning from fellow Saltram winemakers like Peter Lehmann, and admiring the different interpretations of this great varietal from across this great valley.”

Needless to say the result is a fitting tribute to the Saltram legacy and the Barossa winemaking tradition.

Saltram 2001 The Eighth Maker Shiraz is rich, ruby red in colour with hints of deep purple. It contains layers of dark berry, cherry, blackcurrant, liquorice and spice which extend to the elegant palate. Time in oak creates subtle evolution and integration, with the subsequent added complexity of bottle maturation.

This wine is driven by the ability to source intense, Barossa Shiraz grapes of excellent quality. The 2001 vintage started off extremely warm, but later cooled to allow pronounced aromatics and characters which offer the finished wine excellent length. The Barossa’s unique soil profile and the substantial age of the vines were also important contributors to the quality of the fruit.

Nigel has always maintained the winemaking process for this wine should be an uncluttered affair - excellent fruit, a careful eye and an alert palate are all paramount to the wine’s development and success.

“We were careful with how we handled the fruit, and therefore we chose only the very best parcels and harvested them at optimum ripeness,” he said.

Subsequent to this, the fruit was then partially de-stemmed and crushed into 8 tonne open fermenters –the inclusion of some stems to the must and the use of heading down boards during ferment was pivotal to create the necessary complexity to the wine.

After ten days fermenting on the skins, the wine was pressed and transferred into new and seasoned French and American Oak for 24 months maturation prior to blending and bottling.

The packaging of this wine reflects the special and exclusive nature of the wine, presented in a specially made case holding eight bottles. Each case is individually numbered and features information about the philosophy of the wine and a compelling reference list of every Senior Winemaker to create wines for Saltram since 1859.

Saltram Brand Manager, Natalie Powell, has been instrumental in the creation of this special packaging and feels it is an important element to the whole experience.

“The Eighth Maker is very special to Saltram and Nigel has put a very personal stamp on the style and quality of the wine. We really want followers of Saltram to feel as though their experience with this wine is holistic; from the time they open the case, they should feel this wine is special, so we decided to really emote that in every way.” she said.

Saltram 2001 The Eighth Maker Shiraz is available now from selected fine wine retailers and restaurants. RRP $1500 per case of individually numbered case of eight.

For further information (not for publication) contact:
Michaela Murphy, Brand Communications Manager –
T:(03) 8626 3340 M: 0419 500 078
E: michaela.murphy@beringerblass.com.au

Natalie Powell, Brand Manager, Saltram –
T: (03) 8626 3350
E: natalie.powell@beringerblass.com.au

The Saltram winery has been at the heart of Australia’s most famous winegrowing region, the Barossa Valley, since 1859. Throughout its rich history Saltram has always highlighted the depth and breadth of wine styles that have made it and the Barossa world famous. The winery’s flagship No.1 Shiraz is unquestionably one of Australia’s greatest red wines. Saltram’s Senior Winemaker is Nigel Dolan, and his father, Brian, was also an award-winning Senior Winemaker for the winery, winning Saltram the first-ever Jimmy Watson Trophy in 1962. Nigel Dolan has collected countless awards, been voted Barossa and South Australian Winemaker of the Year and was the winner of the 2003 Jimmy Watson Trophy. Nigel was also inducted as a Baron of the Barossa in 2003.

SALTRAM. THE HOME OF GREAT AUSTRALIAN WINE. www.saltramwines.com.au

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