Stella Bella, Shiraz, Margaret River, Australia, 2022

Producer Profile

This boutique winery in the heart of Margaret River creates idiosyncratic named ranges like Suckfizzle in a low interventionist and organic way keeping their approach as simple as possible to allow their cherished vineyards to show their quality.

It is not merely in the names where these wines are memorable, as once you have tasted them you will see why Luke Jolliffe, the winemaker, continues to receive recognition and awards from around the world for wines that have that wonderful Margaret River restraint and elegance, but are bound together with a fruit purity that makes them delectable.

Viticulture

Stella Bella's viticulture philosophy is all centred on sustainable low intervention, regenerative farming principles that promote soil and vine health long term. Minimal chemical inputs and fertilisers are used and a conscious focus on vine balance is applied to pruning and vine maintenance for an optimal outcome of concentrated flavours and yield.

Winemaking

Fruit for this wine is selected and handpicked almost exclusively from our Forest Grove vineyard. Bunches with good lignification of bunch stems (or rachis) are selected for use in whole bunch (20%) fermentation. Fermentation is fast and hot to ensure fruit is off skins in close to 8 days. Pressed at close to zero Baume and transferred to barrel for malolactic fermentation and maturation. French oak Barriques (10% new) support the fruit through maturation for 9 months.

Oak Ageing

Time: 9 Months
Type: French Oak
% wine oaked: 100
% new oak: 10

Tasting Note

Spicy and medium bodied, this Shiraz is a hallmark of the Margaret River region. Dark red with vivid purple hues. Red berries and plum jump out of the glass, followed by delicate hints of black pepper, nutmeg and star anise. A classic cool climate style of Shiraz, medium bodied with an intense, juicy core of dark fruits, olives and subtle spice. Hints of black pepper and silky dark chocolate drive the wine through your palate. The whole bunch inclusion brings complexity and savouriness, leaving you with an intense mouth-filling and salivating finish.

Food Matching

Your favourite cut of beef cooked to perfection, with freshly cracked black pepper.