Silent Noise FO Shiraz 2024

Silent Noise "FO" Shiraz, McLaren Vale, Australia, 2024

Grape: 100% Shiraz, practising organic, hand picked, low sulphites, bottled unfined and unfiltered, unoaked

Producer Tasting Note:

Fleeting but seductive aromas of freshly baked brownies grab your attention but then a gorgeous fusion of dark berry fruits with a splash of white pepper overwhelm your senses. The sumptuous roundness of the sweet dark berry fruits engulf your mouth leaving you to enjoy the lingering complex layers of fruit and spice.

The 2023/2024 growing season started well with a wet winter and the wettest spring for 10 years encouraging the vines to grow good canopies and a good number of bunches. Summer was unusually cool and dry allowing long even ripening for the grapes, especially shiraz, to develop intense flavours and fine tannins.

Critical Acclaim:

"A juicy and bright expression, made in a carbonic way. Brambly fruits, a berry Danish feel, sugar-glazed berries and vanilla-scented buttery pastry. Some greener herbs, too, and white pepper, red licorice, a black jellybean, sweet-scented, and an anise thing. There's a decent edge of tannin to this, and enough savouriness to manage the jubilant fruit." 

Awarded 90/100 points Halliday Australian Wine Companion

Technical: 85% of the whole bunches are put at the bottom of an oak open fermenter and the rest are whole berries. Inoculated with EC118 (champagne yeast), it is then plunged 4 time per day for 1.2 months. Unfined, unfiltered, unoaked.

Winemaker:

"I’m Charlie O’Brien, the 'Noisemaker' behind Silent Noise. I grew up at Kangarilla Road Winery, surrounded by the chaos of vintage—tractors, trucks, and barrels—which sparked my love for winemaking. The name Silent Noise reflects this contrast: the buzz of the vineyard and the quiet anticipation of a bottled wine waiting to burst to life on the nose and palate. From topping barrels at age three to working with producers like Gemtree, Yangarra, and even Château Haut-Bailly in Bordeaux, my journey’s been hands-on and heartfelt. I believe great wine starts in the vineyard—with respect, care, and exceptional fruit."

Food Match: Grilled and smoked meats, lamb tagine, pizza, lentil and sweet potato curry, goat's cheese salad