The Schaefer vineyard was planted 25 years ago on rich alluvial soil north-east of the township og Clare. It is some 10 hectares (30 acres) in size and is 100% Shiraz. It represents something very special, both in regard to the unique elegant and rich fruit flavours found in the fruit and also the meticulous care and passion shown by the Schaefer family through their twenty years of grape growing.
Tim purchased Shiraz grapes from the vineyard for several years and was aware of the outstanding fruit quality. When he found out that the Schaefer’s were planning to retire, he immediately made them an offer for the vineyard that they couldn’t refuse, so high was his regard for the fruit from the vineyard. Tim and wife Pam, now see themselves as custodians of this wonderful vineyard and continue to nurture the vines with same attention to detail as the Schaefer family did for 20 years..
This special release wine was made using carefully selected parcels of Shiraz from the vineyard, which then received the “kids gloves” treatment that is normally given to that which goes into Tim’s flagship Aberfeldy Shiraz. The wine then spent 24 months in new French oak before blending and further ageing in tank. The wine was fined, filtered and bottled in January 2018, before being left to mature in bottle until its release in early 2020.
2014 Tim Adams Schaefer Shiraz 14.5% 6x75cl £120.00
The use of new French oak brings wonderful aromas of perfume and spice to the wineThe palate is awash with dark red cherries, plums and red berry aromas and flavours; the smooth tannins lead into a long, finish. This is a wine with great balance which, while drinking beautifully now, will continue to improve for up to 20 years.
Like all of Tim’s wines, it represents great value-for-money. If it was produced by one of the big Australian wine companies, the marketing department would ensure that it had a price tag far exceeding the modest price Tim charges.
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