JJ w HAHN 1914 shiraz
This wine is made by Rolf Binder from shiraz planted in 1914 on the Hahn Homestead property, located between Nuriootpa and Tanunda in the Barossa Valley. A genuine old vine planting such as this is quite rare, hence the unique flavours and seal of authenticy on the bottle cap.Family Background
The Hahn Homestead vineyard is a family heirloom entrusted to the 5th, 6th and 7th generations still looking after it today. It has been handed down through the years, from 1846 when the family first started farming the property. The vineyard is run by James Hahn, 6th generation descendant. He is helped by his mother, Margaret, who at the age of 73 still goes out every winter and prunes the old vineyard which she has been familiar with since her youth. James and his family still live in the original homestead built 1846-1848 which makes them the oldest homesteaders in the Barossa Valley. A tradition of 160 years lives on!
The Vineyard
A major expansion of the wine industry in the Barossa Valley took place prior to WW1. The opening of the Gawler to Angaston railway in September 1911 was an important event for the local wine industry as it provided a reliable and secure means of transport. Seppelts built their Dorrien winery in 1911 and Penfolds completed their Nuriootpa winery in 1912 – both with railway sidings and platforms. With their proximity to the Hahn property, the building of these wineries was probably the impetus for the 1914 plantings of shiraz by Hermann Hahn (3rd generation).
The vines were trellised, and planted 3 metres apart in rows 3.3 metres wide. These rows provided enough width for 2 or 3 horse ploughing teams, and for wagons and carts at harvest time.
Pruning method is 2 bud spur with 2-3 ‘finger and thumbs’ per vine (this uses one of last years spurs to also have a 4 bud spur to utilise the 3-7 fruiting buds).
Bud levels are approximately 16 buds per metre but because of the age of the vines they do not all shoot and tend not to be that fruitful.
The predominant feature of the soil is medium loam over deep red clay over limestone/red clay. This is the perfect soil for drainage and gives the old vines the ability to burrow their roots deep into the earth. The vines can then stress gradually into ripening and gain rich deep colours from the clays.
2002 Vintage tasting notes
The 2002 Shiraz 1914 spent 22 months in 50% new American and the rest older French and American barrels. Reminiscent of a Northern Rhone offering, it is a pure, elegant Shiraz exhibiting notes of tapenade, black cherries, berries, flowers, licorice, and barrique. This medium to full-bodied, dense, beautifully concentrated wine should drink well for 10-12 years.
Source: Robert Parker Wine Advocate #161 (Oct 2005) 91 points
2004 Vintage tasting notes
"The inky/ruby/purple-tinged, viscous 2004 Shiraz 1914 possesses soft acids, a voluptuous texture, and loads of creme de cassis fruit intermixed with smoky bacon fat, roasted meat, herb, and spice box characteristics. With terrific length as well as an unctuosity that fans of bigger-styled Australian Shiraz will adore, it can be drunk now and over the next 10-15 years."
Source: Robert Parker Wine Advocate #167 (Oct 2006) 94 points
2005 Vintage tasting notes
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