Finch’s 5th Mile 2009 Shiraz

Finchs Line is a small, high-end wine producer in Australias Hunter Valley. Its run by Miles Corish, an Aussie who is currently working in the wine trade in the UK (his company is Milestone Wines). As an aside, Miles used to be a first class cricketer in Australia.

Vineyards

The wines come from a 70 year old vineyard near Pokolbin that Miles discovered while he was doing vintage at Tyrrells. He makes the wine at Chateau Pato, one of the Hunters leading boutique wineries. The Finch in the name comes from the Finch who was the original surveyor of the road from Sydney to the Hunter Valley.

Vinification

Miles doesnt use small oak, but instead raises his wines predominantly in large old wood, of which 20% is new each year. The fermentation is with wild yeasts, and a portion is fermented in hogsheads with the ends knocked out and turned on their side. After fermentation the wine is basket-pressed.

Tasting Notes

Miles points out that contrary to popular opinion, the distinctive earthy/spicy flavour of some Hunter reds isnt Brettanomyces, but rather a Hunter terroir character. These are great wines which show a good deal of elegance.