Nautica Shiraz 2018

Tasting Notes:

The 2020 Rockcliffe Nautica Shiraz opens with a captivating bouquet of dark forest fruits, white pepper, and smoky oak. The palate unfolds with rich layers of dark cherry, plum, and liquorice, enhanced by earthy ironstone notes and bold flavours of dark chocolate. A dry earthiness and tightly woven chalky tannins add texture and depth, leading to a long, smoky finish that lingers beautifully. This wine is a complex and luxurious expression of Great Southern Shiraz.

Food Pairing Suggestions:

• Hearty Meats: Pairs wonderfully with grilled lamb chops, beef tenderloin, or a savoury venison stew, where the wine’s bold flavours complement the richness of the meats.
• Vegetarian Dishes: Enjoy with roasted portobello mushrooms or a rich vegetable stew, where the wine’s complexity enhances the earthy elements of the dish.
• Dark Chocolate Desserts: The wine’s chocolatey notes are the perfect match for a decadent dark chocolate dessert, making for a memorable wine-and-dessert pairing.

Best Serving Temp:

Serve the Rockcliffe Nautica Shiraz at 16-18°C to allow the flavours to unfold and the tannins to soften.

• If storing at room temperature (22°C): Chill the bottle for about 20-30 minutes before serving.

Technical Terms Explained:

• Ironstone: A type of mineral found in the soil that imparts a distinct earthy, rocky character to the wine, adding complexity.
• Chalky Tannins: The fine, textured tannins that come from the grapes’ skins and seeds. They create a dry, structured feel in the mouth and contribute to the wine’s ageing potential.
• Liquorice: A flavour descriptor that evokes the sweet, earthy, aniseed-like taste often found in red wines, particularly Shiraz.

Additional Information:

• Grape Variety: Shiraz
• Region: Great Southern, Western Australia
• Alcohol: 14.5% by Vol | 8.6 Standard Drinks
• pH: 3.47
• TA: 6.1 g/L
• Closure: Screwcap
• Vintage: 2020

Learn About Rockcliffe Winery 

At Rockcliffe Winery, premium quality and sustainability go hand in hand – it’s at the core of everything we do! We source 100% of our energy from renewable solar power, with any excess energy carefully stored in lithium batteries.

But our commitment to sustainability doesn’t stop there. Despite the convenience of having Denmark mains water just 40 metres away, we’ve opted for complete self-sufficiency in water usage. We utilise filtered dam water for irrigation and cleaning purposes, while filtered rainwater – predominantly collected from our roofs – is used to rinse anything that comes into contact with our wine, including pipes and tanks, as well as for drinking water.

Our overarching goal is to operate at the highest environmental standards possible. We’re dedicated to being as sustainable as we can, ensuring that every step of our winemaking process reflects our commitment to both quality and environmental responsibility.

Who Owns Rockcliffe Winery? Steve Hall, After a long and successful career as a Geologist all around the world, Steve stumbled upon the 36 hectare Rockcliffe Vineyard property in 2002 and knew his life was about to take a very different direction. Having visited over one hundred countries and thousands of wineries, Steve could see the potential in Denmark. Over the next 5 years, Steve worked tirelessly to craft Rockcliffe Wines and continued to develop it into what it is today.

There is no dull moment when Steve is around! He has a wealth of stories and anecdotes to share and is known for making people laugh. Steve’s attention to detail and passion for quality shows in everything Rockcliffe produces.

See all wines from the Great Southern Wine Region HERE

Read the latest Rockcliffe Wine Reviews HERE