Spinifex’s 3.5-acre Moppa Shiraz source is in an elevated zone in the northwest. The site has been producing exceptional Shiraz, Grenache and Mataro for Spinifex since 2005. Although the exact age of the vineyard is unknown, it is thought to be at least 80 years old, managed organically for 40 of those by a unique vigneron with utmost respect of his vines. In 2015, when the right vintage presented itself, Schell released his first single-vineyard bottling. Fast-forward to this truly superb 2020 release, and you have a Shiraz that’s firing on all cylinders.
For the 2020, two parcels were hand-harvested and fermented (with 30% whole bunches) in both wood and steel fermenters for 10 and 18 days respectfully, then raised in 600- and 228-litre barrels (20% new). The wines were kept on light lees until racking and blending, 20 months after harvest.