Nose
A lifted nose of cherry and plums and a savoury note that creates anticipation.
Palate
The palate is lively and finely balanced with round fruit flavours counter pointed by drying, fine tannins giving into a long satisfying length.
Growing Conditions
The 2007 vintage was exceptionally good. The season started with a warm spring with little rainfall, and the summer months were extremely dry and without the excessive heat load that has often occurs during the months of January and February. With this even heat load and dry end of vintage, the 2007 grapes were both clean and fully ripe with picking able to be completed at the point of full ripeness and flavour. The fruit was severely thinned prior to harvest, and during hand harvesting any grapes that were considered not good “enough to eat” were dropped on the ground.
Winemaking
These grapes were taken in by Sharna Kowalczuk and her assistant Jane from Vasse River Wines and treated with 'kid gloves' to ensure the magnificent flavours seen in the fruit and the primary ferment were protected and enhanced. The wine was fermented in an open vat and continuously hand plunged to extract colour and tannins softly, with ferment being completed after 10 days. The wine was lightly pressed and placed in new and old French oak barrels and stored for 18 months.
Appearance
A deep red/black coloured
Food Pairing
If drunk with food (which is certainly recommended as there are few greater pleasures), we recommend game and spiced meats which will match with the aromatics and savoury flavours that this wine brings to the palate. Tapas or smoked hams would be sensational combinations and enhance both the wine and the food.
