Our Estate wines are crafted from 100% estate grown fruit and are made on site in our winery. These elegant cool-climate varietal-focused wines are a reflection of our unique vineyard, surrounded by native flora and laden with deep mineral-rich red volcanic soils. Each release embodies the notion of terroir, painting a picture of our secluded corner of the Upper Yarra Valley with a stamp in time.
Mild season with average rainfall. A wet June/July set the growing season off on the right foot. Spring was mild, and strong winds reduced flowering. The end of the year was warm-to-hot and dry, providing lush canopies and exceptional growth. January/February were mild, pushing out our regular harvest dates by two weeks. Low yields delivered the right concentration and flavour intensity, which ultimately made 2020 a standout vintage – we just wish we had more of it!
Fruit was handpicked early in the morning into small buckets, with bunch selection done in the vineyard. 80% de-stemmed into an open fermenter with 20% whole bunches, then chilled for a four-day cold soak before fermentation. Fermentation was wild with daily hand plunging. The wine was pressed off skins directly to seasoned (no new) French oak barrels (300L and 500L) for maturation. The final wine was gently racked and bottled without fining or filtration.
The cool season meant that the bunches were able to stay on the vine until early April – much longer than other vintages – and this is apparent on both the nose and the palate with complex character development.
Rich and dark berry aromas are splashed against a crimson cherry backdrop. The fruit succeeded by a carriage of evening spice, along with freshly ground black peppercorns, dried thyme and billy tea.
The palate is generous for our cool-climate site, filling the mouth with waves of dark cherry, dark plum, and dark passata. Tomatillo acidity keeps things tight, while pepper cries out for appropriate food pairings. Drink 2023 - 2035
95 points, Halliday Wine Companion 2023
“A fabulous, deep, bright, crimson purple. Densely packed with dark fruits, black peppercorns, olive tapenade and some intriguing iodine notes. A rich but balanced mouthful; juicy, yet structured. Fine, long-chained tannins round out a super wine that can be enjoyed now or cellared for at least another 10 years.”
Philip Rich, August 2022
