Nose
Cut grass, kaffir lime, figeoa and orange blossom
Palate
Vibrant acidity, minerality, and texture, framing citrus, limes, kaffir lime, mandarine, cut grass and vanilla flavours. A wine of great vibrancy and freshness, and yet the palate has great length and line, travelling through with beautiful poise and balance.
Growing Conditions
The Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon vines were planted on their own roots in 1976, and are farmed with 100% certified biodynamic, carbon positive methods. The 2020 vintage produced low yields but beautiful fruit quality, leading to wines of effortless grace.
2020 vintage was defined by dry conditions from the onset of budburst through to harvest in 2020.
A lower than average rainfall in 2019, and hot dry weather conditions in January, February and March made for almost drought conditions for harvest 2020.
Bunch numbers were about average, but low berry weights due to the dry conditions produced very low yields and wines which were balanced and pretty in nature. The harvest was unaffected by Covid 19 lockdowns as we had finished harvest and most of the fermentations had also finished, we just had the pressing of the red wines. Chardonnay yields were still affected by the previous year’s frost.
Wines of excellent balance and fruit purity, a vintage similar to 2003 in style. Best varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon.
- Vineyard: 100% Cullen Vineyard
Harvest
8th February a Moon opposite Saturn flower day & 14th February Flower Day
Winemaking
This excellent fruit quality enabled complexity in the winemaking. The Sauvignon Blanc was whole bunch basket pressed, with whole bunch amphorae skin contact fermentation, creating phenolic tension and mouthfeel with beautiful texture on the palate. The Semillon component was crushed with 4 days skin contact.
Aging
Barrel-aged for 6 months in 68% new oak.
Appearance
Pale straw with green tinges
Food Pairing
Scallops, prawns & eggplant
