The first impression of Rutherglen Estate Shelley's Block is the beautiful pale straw colour with green highlights, on the nose there is a complex bouquet of citrus, spice, apricot, ginger, subtle oak, and dry herbs. The palate offers a refined structure with a soft texture and an elegant interplay of nutty, citrus, and gentle spice flavours. This wine's length and balance make it an excellent companion to dishes like roast chicken or turkey.

About the Producer

The De Bortoli family story is one of determination and triumph that started 90 years ago and is now told, generations later, across Australia.

Their heritage encompasses the universal story of immigrants making good in an adopted land, the rise and rise of the Australian wine industry and the tale of a hardworking and innovative family which considers good wine, good food and good friends to be among the true pleasures in life.

Today, as a fourth generation enters the family business, De Bortoli is amongst the top wine producers in Australia with vineyards spanning six premium wine regions.

Vineyard and Winery

The Marsanne, Viognier, and Roussanne are grown on De Bortoli Shelley’s Vineyard on the eastern edge of the Rutherglen region. The site has an interesting gravel, clay and alluvial soil mix.

The wine was fermented using a mix of tank fermentation and French oak barrels. 59% of this wine was fermented in stainless steel with 41% fermented in french oak barrels using indigenous yeast. Of this 6% was new oak and 31% in 3 years or older oak. Following fermentation, the wine was then aged on lees in both oak and tank for eight months. Stirring and malolactic fermentation were avoided to retain the natural acidity and drive of the wine and so as not to interfere with the wine’s bright zesty fruit profile. The oak during ferment and for aging has added subtle complexity, texture and weight to the wine.