Every release is currently sold out; supplies are very low.
Dark, rich red colour and nose of great depth and concentration. Complex aromas of dark fruit, olives, spices; background minerality and pepper. Palate that is rich, concentrated and tightly structured, with a long smooth and silky textured mouth feel: excellent balance. A wine to stand with the best Northern Rhône.
Deep, dark colour and purity of fruit. Lovely balance from the mid-weight palate belies the depth and richness of the fruit; an abundance of sweet ripe blackberry, leather and tobacco leaf: hints of anise and minerality. Long, clean lingering palate that is classic Cabernet Sauvignon.
Similar to the 2006 Shiraz. Bright, dark colour. Deep, intense concentrated and appealing aromas of spices, dark cherries and black currants, complemented by white pepper, graphite and floral characters with underlying Viognier traits adding palate richness and creating a northern Rhône style of substance. Even more richness and complexity in the mid palate than the 2006. A slightly higher amount of French oak (30%) used to complement the fruit this vintage.
Similar to the 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon in style and character. Deep colour, intense yet appealing nose of blackberry, cassis, dark cherries, underlying hints of tobacco and spice. Lovely fruit flavours of red and black currants, firm texture, picking up minerals and licorice with breathing; slightly more new oak has been used in this vintage to balance the fruit (35%); clean, lingering aftertaste. A lovely wine.
Dark purple colour, deep aromas of blueberry, blackberry and other dark fruits, mixed with spices and white pepper, even dried flowers. Rich, deep palate, both the aromas and the flavours open and build with air and time to a fresh, clean, long aftertaste.
Very deep, dark colour. Intense yet appealing nose of blackberry, cassis, dark cherries, underlying hints of tobacco and spice. Lovely fruit flavours of red and black currants, firm texture, picking up minerals and licorice with breathing. This wine will integrate and develop beautifully in time. Sweet, long finish, lovely balance. Lovely fruit oak balance.
In early December the vineyard looked beautiful. An excellent harvest was anticipated, even contemplating a Merlot and a Viognier for the first time. Record breaking heat made this vintage a nightmare, severely challenging the vines. In February, Victoria suffered a run of the hottest days on record culminating in a severely hot Saturday: at 4pm the temperature at our vineyard was 47.8°C in the shade. We spent the next two days picking the best fruit. The fruit we selected was superb. The rest, about 80%, was left on the vines. As a result the 2009 vintage was very small, nevertheless, we still achieved a richness without excessive alcohol, tannins and over ripeness.
Hot dry weather and well below average rainfall in spring. Being dryland grown, the vines responded well: rigorous bunch selection took place at picking. This resulted in concentrated, complex fruit, beautiful tannins and therefore, a slightly higher alcohol level.
The hot, dry weather of the previous year continued throughout 2007. Leading up to vintage the temperature was modified by cloud cover, slowing the rate of ripening and allowing the fruit to cool overnight. Whilst the fruit was picked fully ripened, the alcohol level was quite modest: Shiraz/Viognier (13.2%); Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot/Petit Verdot (12.5%). Both wines were fermented with 100% wild yeast.