Nose
Black fruits, cedar and lacquer followed by hints of vanilla pod, bay and vio-lets.
Palate
Opulent tannin and dark fruits on the entry, followed by rich flavours of cas-sis, dark chocolate and Bing cherries. The finish adds balance and finesse to an otherwise powerful wine, with hints of blueberries, violets and wet stone.
Growing Conditions
Quality for the 2015 vintage was high, however yields were down across the region. In early March an autumn weather pattern came into being and with the passing of the low weather pattern that was Cyclone Olwyn, the region experienced some rain with cooler night time temperatures. This extended the ripening period for red wine varieties quite nicely giving them more 'hang time', which enhanced fruit development flavour profiles and softer tannin levels.
Winemaking
The fruit was hand-picked, de-stemmed and the berries just split to allow for minimal breakdown of the skin and to preserve the natural fruit freshness. The grapes were pumped over three times a day for 18 days, after which the wine was separated from the skins and allowed to finish fermentation in premium French oak barriques. The wine is aged in 45% new oak barrels for 18 months, after which it was blended, clarified and bottled.
Aging
This is a fresh drink now style, but can be aged for up to 10 years for added complexity.
Appearance
Crimson with streaks of blue and black.
