N2 Templates Project

Aromas of black cherry, dark chocolate, musk and mocha. The silky palate oozes flavours of sweet blackberry, licorice and chocolate and finishes with a balanced explosion of spice, crisp acid and soft elegant tannin length.

Appearance

Vibrant plum with fine sparkling bead.

Bouquet

Lifted black cherry, dark chocolate, musk & mocha.

Palate

A powerful wine rich and soft in texture. The silky palate oozes sweet mixed berry conserve, ‘rum and raisin’, white chocolate and spicy vanillin oak finished with a balanced explosion of spice, crisp acid and soft elegant tannin length.

Winemaking

A blend of selected components from various vintages, blended to achieve our classic Vixen style, it is made from 70% Shiraz, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Cabernet Franc. The bead on the wine is fine and persistent, indicative of its high quality.

Technical analysis

Ageing potential

Best consumed within two years from bottling.

Awards

Blue Gold Medal, Sydney International Wine Competition 2010
Silver Medal, AWC Vienna International Wine Challenge 2010
Silver Medal, International Wine Challenge Catavinum 2011
Highly Commended, Sydney International Wine Competition 2011
Bronze Medal, International Wine & Spirit Competition 2010 (UK)
Bronze Medal, San Francisco Wine Competition 2010
Bronze Medal, National Wine Show (Canberra) 2011
Bronze Medal, San Francisco International Wine Competition 2009
Bronze Medal (label design), San Francisco International Wine Comp 2009
Bronze Medal, Japan Wine Challenge 2010
Bronze Medal, McLaren Vale Wine Show 2009
Bronze Medal, Riverina Wine Show 2009
4½ stars, Equal Top in Category, Winestate Magazine July/August 2010

Viticulturalist

Nick Wiltshire

Winemaker

Scott Zrna

Tasting notes

Vixen

Vixen in Large Print

Press Reviews

"Purple foam, deep ruby colour - sparkling shiraz! It shows ripe plum, bitter chocolate and floral aromas ...the fruit flavour is good and not unduly propped up by sweetness..."
4 Glasses. 92 Rating. Penguin Good Australian Wine Guide 2007

"McLaren Vale wine is well suited to making sparkling reds and Vixen, which is made from shiraz and cabernet, is a good example. It shows plummy fruit, spice and rich, chocolatey notes, well-controlled sweetness, good concentration and solid tannin structure."
4 stars. Uncorked Wine Guide, June 2007

"A McLaren Vale blockbuster made predominantly from shiraz. It's full of fruit, spice and dark fruits; a bit like tucking into a slice of black forest gãteau."
Qantas, The Australian Way, February 2009