Eutopos is, by definition, the most perfect or divine thing or place that one can imagine. The fun side of Utopia. The idea here is to produce the most perfect expression of place from what I consider to be the Barossa’s most perfect site. A meticulous approach to classification in the vineyard, during fermentation and maturation, and prior to assembling the final blend ensures only a very small quantity of this wine is bottled. In 2021 only 1355 bottles were produced.
The 2021 vintage was almost impossibly perfect, and has produced a series of red wines that will continue to showcase the amazing potential of this site for many years to come. Mild weather from bud burst in late September to harvest across March and April provided ideal conditions for steady, even canopy development, fruit set and ripening. The rain cycle through spring, summer and autumn was perfectly timed, providing regular refreshment to the vines, and maintaining a modest amount of sub soil moisture, resulting in average yields of approximately 1.5 tonne per acre..
Our high expectations of the Utopos Vineyard were easily delivered in such an outstanding year, with the wines showing great structure, exceptional flavour and deep colour, alongside the hallmark natural acidity and savoury balance that defines this amazing place.
The 2021 εutopos is built around the oldest shiraz planting on the site. A tiny 0.4 Hectare block planted alongside Roennfeldt Road on a red clay and ironstone section of the vineyard in 1974 to the famous Kalimna 3C clone of shiraz, prized for its density of deep colour and dark fruited aromatics and flavours. A few stable mates from other blocks on the vineyard contribute to the wine’s lift, complexity and precise palate. 4% Cabernet Sauvignon from Block 5 gives the tannin profile shape and definition whilst also enhancing the moccha notes on the palate. Mataro (1.5%) adds herbal notes, darkness and charcuterie providing the wine with an intriguing complexity. Matured for 18 months in 50% new very tight grained lightly toasted French oak (Allier forest) and 50% second use and then further matured in bottle for 3.5 years before release.
The nose shows plenty of Sichuan pepper with a touch of meaty/ savoury character emerging as the wine begins to show the benefits of bottle ageing. True to type from this vineyard, this is a wine that is all about texture whilst being full flavoured and having great concentration and length. The pure shiraz fruit characters of ripe black and purple fruits drive down the palate, all framed with powerful but balanced tannins and that trademark Utopos acidity. Drink now to 20 years
