Nose
The nose is filled with ripe blackberry, cedar, blackcurrant and chocolate representing each distinctive component of the harmonious Great Southern and Margaret River blend.
Palate
On the palate, the Great Southern fruit parcels provide the structural backbone to the wine while the Margaret River component lifts the aromatics of the wine adding depth and complexity. The palate is rich and full-bodied with powerful fruit underpinned by very fine layered tannins and a long persistent finish.
Growing Conditions
The grape growing regions of Western Australia in the spring of late 2006 were in an extremely dry condition having come off another very poor winter. Dams were low and the soils were generally poorly hydrated. However fruitfulness was significantly down due to the extremely cold conditions. These two factors led to one of the earliest seasons ever experienced in the southwest. Ripening for the most part was very even and very early and the summer temperatures for were mild.
Winemaking
The wines were hand-plunged and pumped over as required to balance the extraction of colour, tannin and flavour development. The structure of both the Margaret River and Great Southern components allowed for extended maceration of the wines on skins for four weeks once alcoholic fermentation was complete. The wines were basket-pressed and matured in 50% new and 50% one year old French oak barriques from several different coopers.
Aging
Medium – long term.
8-10 or more years
Appearance
Red with a purple .