Following the release of the 2022 vintage of its Bloody Shiraz gin earlier this year, Four Pillars has made an additional vinatge: Four Pillars x Yarra Yering 2022 Bloody Underhill Shiraz Gin.
A partnership with Yarra Yering, Four Pillars says the Bloody Underhill Shiraz Gin is combination of two of the best-known Shiraz drinks from the Yarra Valley.
When Yarra Yering offered to part with grapes from their Underhill vineyard, Four Pillars thought it was the type of opportunity that only comes once in a lifetime, as growing premium grapes in the Yarra is challenging in the current climate.
One way to withstand climate challenges is relying on established vineyards. The Underhill vineyard has been planted since 1973, and its near 50-year deep roots and solid structure allow the vines to readily adapt and produce those super-premium harvests.
After a wet spring, resulting in the Shiraz cropping low and concentrating the flavour, the summer turned quite mild and humid. This light crop combined with mild weather meant great acid accumulation and an extended hang time.
Adding a dry fruit and ginger-spice to this year’s release, the base Rare Dry Gin has been resting in ex-Yarra Yering Dry Red barrels since last year. The team at Four Pillars filled up the barrels ahead of their first single vintage gin and used some from each barrel in 2021.
Afterwards, the barrels were topped up with more gin and left until now.
Following the harvest in early March, whole bunches of the Underhill fruit were steeped in the aged gin.
Four Pillars says the final result is a drink far removed from their usual Bloody Shiraz Gin; deeper in colour, higher in alcohol, and more intense in sweetness, tannins and amaro-like bitterness.
The Four Pillars Single Vintage Bloody Shiraz Gin will be available online and at the Four Pillars Healesville Distillery and Surry Hills Laboratory for RRP $175.
