Descendant Shiraz Viognier comes from a vineyard planted in 1994 using cuttings from a RunRig vineyard. Descendant’s Shiraz component is crushed over RunRig’s Viognier pressings and the two are co-fermented, then matured for between 18 and 24 months in second-fill French barrels previously used for RunRig. Descendant may be characterised by intense violet, blackberry, apricot and aniseed aromas, has rich, persistent flavours and finishes with dry, chocolaty tannins. The wine is clearly ‘descended’ from RunRig.

The 2022 vintage was characterised by above average winter rains making up for a dry autumn, leading to full canopies and healthy vines for the harvest. A severe hailstorm across some parts of the Valley in late October resulted in lower averageyields.The summer was remarkably mild with very few days above 30 degrees. Slow ripening in the cooler conditions made for a gentle and drawn-out vintage season, resulting in wines with higher natural acidity, rich colours and fine tannins. The wines from 2022 will reward those patient enough to cellar them away.

Drinking Window: 2026-2041