Deep vibrant colour. Sweet and herbaceous nose. Rich full palate with summer berry, subtle oak and firm tannin. Best enjoyed with mature cheese/pork/lamb.
Food
Accompaniments
Strong cheese, pasta, red sauce, beef, chocolate.
Awards,
Reviews and other Notes
88 pts Wine Spectator (HS)
Firm, focused and distinctive for a roasted hazelnut overtone to the dark berry, anise and tar flavors, lingering on the well-buffed finish. Drink now through 2014. 2,000 cases made.
88 pts Stephen Tanzers International Wine Cellar (JR)
Deep ruby. Ripe if rather straightforward blueberry and boysenberry betray no earth, animal or vegetal character. Plush and sweet on the plate, which displays vivid dark berry liqueur flavors and slow-building tannins. Zestier red berries arrive on the finish, adding lift and refreshing cut. Drink this now for its lively fruit.
Winemaker Notes
Hand picked from younger fruit and machine picked from St Clare Estate. Cropping average 1.75 T/acre. Cool soaked and open fermented for 7 days. Basket pressed with 100% return of pressings. Settled for 6 weeks prior to barrel maturation and final blending. 5% addition of Merlot to soften tannins. Bottle aged 12 months prior to US release.
