Salomon Estate: Finniss river, South Australia

SALOMON ESTATE: this wine is produced off a single property in Finniss River, a sub region of Adelaide Hills, which extends along the southern region of the Feurieu Peninsula, about 20km southeast of McLaren Vale. The soils are typically gravel and sand over red and orange sandstone and the vineyard falls gently away towards the northwest providing ideal exposure, warm days ensure ripe fruit flavours while the cooling breezes which roll off the Southern Ocean in the late-afternoon ensure excellent acid retention. Here, Australian robustness meets European elegance in a most convincing fashion.

Shiraz, Cabernet and Merlot are kept between nine and eighteen months in small oak barrels.

SALOMON ESTATE was founded in 1995, originating from great ideas and passions. The first being the love for the landscape around Bert Salomon´s Finniss River. Second, Bert´s wife Gertud´s enjoyment with great red wines and last but not least the enthusiasm both share for diverse cultures.

Bert and Gertrud Salomon are fulltime travelers when it comes to wine. On oneside they have the family estate SALOMON UNDHOF in Austria in the seventh generation, and on the otherside is the first generation from Australia of the SALOMON ESTATE wines.

2009  Fleurieu Peninsula Shiraz / Viognier

95% Syrah, barrel-aged for 20 months in 300-liter hogsheads (primarily French oak, with a small percentage of American oak). A cuvée in the tradition of the northern Rhone “Cote Rotie” region. A deep ruby hue with a bouquet of floral tones, dark berries, tobacco, and soft leather. A lush fruitiness on the palette, with well-meshed tannins. A wine with depth and the utmost elegance, finely fruity and complex in finish. This wine blooms when decanted.

2009 Finniss River Shiraz

100% Shiraz; barrel-aged for 18 months in 300-liter hogsheads (approx. 50% new oak, French oak with a small percentage American oak).

Classic Shiraz fruit, but with backbone. A deep red wine with a nose of fresh plums, wild herbs, and black olives. Its elegant bounty of fruit is supported by fine chocolate notes. Full-bodied, highly concentrated, yet deeply structured with impeccably integrated tannins. A wine that flourishes upon decanting.

2006 Finniss River Cabernet Merlot ( aged 18 months in 300l hogheads, 2/3 new oak , mainly french oak and only a small part  American oak )

Australian richness combined with elegant Cassis notes. Deep red in color, with a robust aroma. Fine, concentrated blueberries and blackcurrants on the palette, with hints of dark chocolate. Well-structured and velvety, with fine tannins and a long, nuanced finish.

2001 Alttus (reserve shiraz) – 2003 is due for release September 2011

“The highest portion of the vineyard and the best barrels, bottled separately from the Finniss River Shiraz bottling. It was aged in assorted new French oak for 18 months. Not obviously Australian on the nose – maybe old style Australian, the sort of bottle that lurked in Len Evans’ cellar. Lovely texture! Complex. Well knit. Subtle, absolutely a cross between Australia and Northern Rhône. 14%.  2007—2014  18+” Jancis Robinson

“This his first Reserve Shiraz, is stunning: concentrated black fruit, impeccable balance, restrained power.”  Max Allen The Weekend Australian March 2008