Royal Oaks and King’s Wood were forests planted by monarchs to build cathedrals and navies. Long term planning. The beautiful old French oak in these giant foudre vessels is perfect for schooling and gently, gradually polishing and protecting the brightest and spiciest south facing Shiraz that is grown at Yangarra.
Vintage Summary
The growing season was affected by a very hot spring, leading to the lowest yields on record. As the grapes started their ripening process the weather miraculously cooled to a very mild ripening season. This resulted in wonderful concentration of flavour, retention of natural acidity and brightness of fruit, but above all, beautiful finesse and balanced tannins.
Winemaking
Sourced exclusively from Block 12 (2.3 Ha) which sits on a south-east facing, ironstone sandy outcrop. Hand-picked on the 1st March, 20% whole bunches, 30% whole berries mechanically sorted, 50% crushed in open fermenters and on skins for 15 days. A gentle maceration principle of wetting the cap and only draining and returning when reductive. Wild yeast ferment. No pressings are used in this wine. Exclusively matured in 25 hL French oak foudres, 50% new and 50% one and two-year-old, for 16 months. Bottled in November 2021.
Variety
100% Shiraz
Year Planted
1999
Region
Blewitt Springs, McLaren Vale
Soil
Weathered sands mixed with ironstone gravels
Geology
North Maslin Sands
(54 million years old)
Elevation
180m - 195m above sea level 

Alc/Vol: 13.5%