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.
The Grenache and Zinfandel vines are located on the eastern facing slope of our vineyard. When founder Keith Hentschke purchased the property, this block was a quarry, and today the shallow soil profile overlaying the quarry limestone reduces the natural vigour of the vine, allowing vibrancy and intensity to shine in the fruit. The Shiraz is selected from an elevated block with a westerly aspect on the western side of the creek.
The majority of both Grenache and Shiraz parcels went through an extended maceration, with a total of 45 days on skins. The wines were pressed out to a combination of old French (70%) and American (30%) barrels where they underwent natural malolactic fermentation before being racked off lees and returned to oak to mature for a total of 8 months.
Tobacco leaf and rhubarb are interwoven with fragrant notes of cardamom and cinnamon, creating a beautifully spiced aromatic profile. Layers of savoury complexity and warming spice carry seamlessly across the palate.
95 POINTS, HALLIDAY WINE COMPANION
"Another fresh, vibrant blend, just tipping the medium-bodied scales, and inviting immediate/early consumption. The logistics of managing so many ferments with differing periods on skins is awesomely difficult, but pays big dividends." - James Halliday
