Wild & Wilder The Opportunist Shiraz

One Chain Vineyards, like Thistledown is overseen by Peter Leske, Giles Cooke MW and Fergal Tynan MW Comprising two ranges, Cricket Series and Character Series, One Chain works with growers to source fruit from some of the most established regions of South Australia. Our Character Series has four beautifully produced and packaged wines, benefitting from the ultra premium quality fruit sourced for Thistledown. Each wine has great varietal definition coupled with our signature vibrancy and freshness. These are wines that are immediately pleasing, yet authentic expression of the variety and place. Our Cricket Series wines are inspired by a love for the Australian national sport. Indeed, the name One Chain is the imperial measurement for 22 yards, or the length of a cricket pitch. However, you really don’t need to be a connoisseur of the game to be bowled over by the restrained, elegant style of the Chardonnay and the bright red fruit and subtle oak of the Shiraz Cabernet.

Vineyards

Fruit for the Opportunist Shiraz comes from 3 separate blocks of the same vineyard in the historic Langhorne Creek region. All blocks are trellised and spur pruned though the trellis height vary dependent on frost risk. Soils are a mix of sandy loam and darker red soils with moderate fertility. Yields are low to moderate with good canopies that allow for a lengthy ripening period.

Vinification

As for all of our wines, the fruit for the Opportunist is picked on the way up to ripeness rather than on the way down. This way we achieve freshness and energy but not at the expense of flavour. We retain as many whole berries as possible to increase vibrancy and succulence. Winemaking is simple and is followed by 8 months on oak to increase texture and varietal expression.

Tasting Notes

We’ve all got a mate who, despite the calamities befalling everyone else, always lands with his bum in the butter. When everyone else sees doom and gloom, The Opportunist sees blue skies and sunshine. Love him or hate him, The Opportunist always comes out on top. An aromatic bouquet of ripe fruits, cherries and blackcurrants, with notes of freshly ground coffee, dark chocolate, peppermint, liquorice and subtle pepper. Thick and smooth with good balanced fruit weight.

Pair with beef stews, entrecóte or a crispy Thai beef salad.