Growing Conditions

An early budburst followed by a relatively hot dry Spring and mild Summer saw early flowering and fruit set, every indication was for one of the earliest and quickest vintages on record. However heavy rain mid-January and onset of cold night time temperatures slowed sugar accumulation but in turn helped flavour development.

Winemaking

Twice daily pump-overs, using specialised gentle tannin extraction method, also two rack-returns during ferment. Yeast strains used were RC212 and FX10, with time of skins totalling 15 days to retain maximum fruit intensity and soft tannins. Aged in two, three and four year old French barriques.