Nose
Intense raspberry and perfumed floral high notes married with hints of blackcurrant and dark fruit jubes on the nose
Palate
Juicy, mouth filling, ripe dark forest fruits with a red berry acidity supported by subtle spicy cedar, complimented by silky soft tannins providing a long and elegant finish.
Growing Conditions
Margaret River had an excellent vintage for both red and whites with little disease pressure. Winter/spring rainfall in the Margaret River was less than average, the biggest downpour of around 250mm in June. A significant weather event in late October/early November brought 100km winds and hail, which affected flowering, followed by more wild weather in early December, cumulatively resulting in significant crop losses (up to 40% down). January and February were hot and dry, then March saw cooler conditions with allows the tannins to ripen in sync with the fruit character. The Marri blossom was abundant therefore bird damage was minimal although we did net the reds.
Harvest
The grapes were picked on March 20th.
Winemaking
The grapes were picked in the cool of the morning then placed in open fermenters where the must was innoculated with a bordelaise yeast and fermentation began. The cap was hand plunged four times a day in the early stages of the ferment, to extract colour and tannin. After 10 days the wine was left on the skins for extended maturation. The free run juice was drained and the fermented grapes were basket pressed. The wine then under-went a malolactic fermentation which softens the acid and racked to a mix of 50% new & 50% one and two year old French barriques where it matured for 12 months. The Cabernet Franc was bottled in August 2014. Can be enjoyed now or will age gracefully to 2018
Appearance
Deep red with purple hues.
