Harvest

The grapes were harvested from our Gimblett Road vineyard. Selected parcels of fruit were harvested separately and fermented. The fruit was assessed on flavour and picked at optimum ripeness and flavour levels.  
 
Awards

Vinification

Individual sections of the block were hand harvested and kept separate until blending. The grapes were gently destemed and lightly crushed into vats for fermentation. The must was inoculated with yeast and fermented on skins for 7 to 10 days. Some batches were left on skins for a short period of time after fermentation and the balance pressed off. The wine was put through MLF in barrel and was sulphured when finished. The wine was racked quarterly and returned to barrels. After 13 months in oak the wine was taken out, blended and returned to oak for another 2 months. After 15 months barrel maturation the wine was taken out, lightly chilled, fined with eggwhites and filtered ready for bottling.

Composition

The wine is 100% Gimblett Road fruit.

Bottling

The wine was bottled on the 29th August 2000.

Sensory

Colour: Deep red with a ruby red hue. 
Aroma: A lifted aroma of black peppers and berry fruits. Integrated oak. 
Palate: Young firm tannins, finely textured wine displaying good acid, elegant fruit and complex oak handling. A long dry finish. 

Cellaring

4-6 years.