Product Information:
Grown just across the dam from their flagship old vine Kiss Shiraz and we'll let you in on a secret - The Dam Block Shiraz shows similar dark blue fruits to the flagship Shiraz, as well as the distinctive savoury texture and al-dente tannins of this pedigree vineyard, but at a slightly more affordable price. The inaugural 2015 single vineyard release proved very popular with our customers, and it has since become a permanent instalment within Thomas range.
A tantalising nose of fresh red and black berries, pot-pourri, espresso and bitter chocolate. The palate is structured with a frame of fine tannins and refreshing acidity around a core of intense fresh blackberry, dark plum and black cherry fruits. Hints of licorice, pastille and a note of graphite adding a subtle mineral savouriness.
The fruit was destemmed but not crushed allowing some bright carbonic characters to emerge during the relatively cool seven day fermentation on skins. Pressed off to new, one and three-year-old French oak hogsheads (300L) in roughly equal proportions for 14 months maturation prior to bottling.
Maker:
Given Andrew's family background, it seemed fated he would work in wine. Early inspiration came from his father, Wayne Thomas who had a distinguished career making wine where Andrew was raised in McLaren Vale. During Andrew's formative winemaking years, despite being groomed for a possible winemaking career in South Australia, he developed a deep passion for finesse, and the more subtle and savoury structured wines of the Hunter Valley. After graduating with a degree in Oenology at Roseworthy Agricultural College, Andrew set off on his winemaking journey at Tyrrell’s Vineyards. During 13 years of guidance under the legendary Murray Tyrrell at Tyrrells Wines, he gained a great respect for, and understanding of the two signature varieties of the Hunter Valley – you guessed it, semillon and shiraz. The thirst for more knowledge and winemaking experience was quenched with vintages in Sonoma, Tuscany, Piedmont and Provence; but the desire to make world class wines under his own label could no longer be denied, with realisation it was time for Andrew Thomas to pave his own path. Thomas Wines was established in 1997, with a clear and focused objective to specialise in single vineyard Hunter Valley Semillon and Shiraz. Over the years Andrew has formed close and collaborative alliances with an impressive folio of local growers. These growers own and operate arguably some of the Hunter Valley’s most distinguished sites, producing world class, uniquely regional styles. Each wine is destined to showcase its unique vineyard signature and express a real sense of place.
Philosophy:
Whilst Andrew has always applied a no compromise, attention to detail approach to my winemaking, he truly believes that 90% of the quality lies in the vineyard. Andrew says "The key to great wine is ‘keeping it simple’ to preserve that potential quality from the vine through to the bottle."
Stylistically speaking, the modern style of Hunter Shiraz is a far cry from the wines of yesteryear. The contemporary style displays an aromatic fruit purity and vibrancy, all framed within a regional, medium bodied structure. This, together with a more ‘hands-off’ approach to our winemaking, has allowed the true character of each vineyard to shine through - just the way wine should be.
Dam Block Shiraz comes from a tiny 0.8 hectare block just across the dam from their flagship old vine Kiss Shiraz. Andrew has been taking this fruit for many years now, and it had always been an important component of their Two of a Kind and Synergy Shiraz, with a few barrels making the grade for Elenay over the years. Hand-picked on the 25th of February 2023, which is probably the latest we've ever harvested this block providing a longer than usual ripening period. The fruit was destemmed but not crushed allowing some bright carbonic characters to emerge during the relatively cool seven day fermentation on skins. Pressed off to new, one and three-year-old French oak hogsheads (300L) in roughly equal proportions for 14 months maturation prior to bottling.
Nose - Red & Black Berries, Potpourri, Red Earth
Pretty aromas of blue fruits, spice, ferrous earth, bramble and dried herbs.
Palate - Dark Blum, Black Cherry, Woody Spice
Really pleasurable, supple, succulent, fruit driven with sour-sweet cherry fruit character, touch of raspberry, some woody spice notes subtly woven in, black pepper in the mix and touches of undergrowth.
Finish - Silty Tannins, Tight, Mineral Savouriness
There are whispers of liquorice, pastille and a note of graphite adding a subtle mineral savoriness. The finish is long and layered with a luscious and enticing mouth-feel.
"I have often gravitated to The Dam Block shiraz from Thomas Wines. Something very distinct and interesting about its personality. Really pleasurable, supple, succulent, fruit driven with sour-sweet cherry fruit character, touch of raspberry, some woody spice notes subtly woven in, black pepper in the mix and touches of undergrowth. Tannins fine, tight, silty and lingering with light chew and refreshment factor. It’s very even, balanced, inwardly concentrated; feels fine-winey and pitch perfect medium weight. Lovely stuff."
94 Points - Mike Bennie thewinefront.com.au
"Really bright, red and youthful in the glass. Pretty aromas of blue fruits, spice, ferrous earth, bramble and dried herbs. Mid-weight, bright and crunchy on the palate. Vibrant flavours of blueberry, cherry, mulberry, nutty oak and spice. The acidity has real brightness and crunch and the tannins are savoury, drying and shapely. A wine built for the long haul"
93 Points - Aaron Brasher therealreview.com
The Finer Derails
Style - Red Wine
Varietal - Shiraz
Country - Australia
Region - Hunter Valley, NSW
Vintage - 2022
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 13%
Closure - Screw Cap
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