DRINKING WINDOW: up to 10 years
VINTAGE
Leading up to the 2016 vintage, a dry winter and early spring was relieved by 60mm of rain in the first week of November. Consistently warm conditions through late spring and early summer provided ideal ripening conditions with no disease pressure, also bringing expected harvest dates forward. Warmth through December and most of January was followed by a 60mm rain event in the last week of January. This, along with a long spell of mild temperatures provided the vines with some relief. The result was a slowing of sugar ripening and thus providing increased flavour development. Harvest dates mostly returned to normality and the balance of seed and flavour ripeness was the best I have seen since 2010.
SEPPELTSFIELD VINEYARD
BLOCK: H Block.
VINEYARD: Deep red clay loam | Western bank of Greenock Creek | Old Clone | Low topographical position | Slight Easterly aspect | East-West oriented rows.
UPSHOT: Reduced natural vine vigour | Intense & vibrant.
HARVEST: Shiraz - 27th Feb - Cabernet - 3rd March
WINEMAKING
The fruit was crushed and de-stemmed prior to fermentation, during which 2-3 pump-overs a day were used to ensure the wine achieved a full tannin structure. It was then pressed out to a combination of new (60%) and old (40%) French barrels where it underwent natural malolactic fermentation. The wine was then racked off lees and returned to oak to mature. The wines were kept separate for the first 6 months of maturation before being blended and returned to oak, a total of 22 months in oak.
PROFILE: Layers of blackcurrant and dark chocolate are underscored by savoury charcuterie notes, building depth and complexity. Plush tannins and generous texture give rise to a palate that is every bit the velvet sledgehammer, powerful yet beautifully composed.
96 POINTS, WBM MAGAZINE
"A beautifully succulent, bright and fragrant blend that leads out with the aromatic violet lift and blackcurrant crunch of Cabernet and rolls in to the glossy, black juiciness of Shiraz.It all coasts harmoniously into a very ling finish, perfectly guided by fine tannin structure and focused acid freshness, the signature of the coolest pocket on the banks of Greenock Creek, defining one of the finest wines ever to emerge from the hallowed halls of Hentley Farm." - Tyson Stelzer
