Description
Region: Bendigo Hills, Central Otago, New Zealand.
Winemaking: The grapes were hand harvested; 75% were destemmed and 25% were left as whole bunch. All were transferred to the oak cuve for indigenous fermentation. The ferment reached 32 degrees and lasted for 10 days. After this the wine was left on skins for a further 21 days for tannin maturation. It was then drained into 500L French puncheons (30% new, 30% 1 year old, and 40% older seasoned oak) where it underwent MLF the following spring and matured in oak for a total of 17 months prior to racking and bottling.
Tasting Notes: Rich aromas of plums, dark cherries, and Christmas cake mixed with spicy notes of tamarillo, clove, and vanilla. Firm chalky tannins frame the rich fruit character of the wine, giving it great generosity and structure as well as increased aging ability.
Technical: Alcohol - 14.0%. pH - 3.78g/l. TA - 6.5g/l. RS - dry. Contains sulphites and organic eggs. BioGro certified organic.
Winemaker: Allan McWilliams.
Accolades:
“Aromas remind of red berries and dried flowers, baking spices and aged meats. There’s complexity and charm, a care of varietal aromas and a calm enticing bouquet overall. Lovely mouthfeel and texture on the palate with flavours of dark berries, cherries, and fine chalky tannins. There’s an aged meaty, cinnamon spice and dried herb quality layering in complexity, freshness, and character. Well made, dry, lengthy, and ready. Best drinking from purchase and through 2025+.” - Cameron Douglas MS, 93/100 points
“It was a hot vintage in 2018 resulting in a record early start to harvest by many producers. Dense, flavoursome tempranillo with dark cherry and berry and plum together with a suggestion of spice and rhubarb character supported by suede-like tannins. It has cellaring potential. Drink 2021 to 2026.” - Bob Campbell MW, 93/100 points
“It’s gorgeously ripe and inviting on the nose with Black Doris plum, sweet cherry, clove, and roasted nut aromas, followed by a succulent palate displaying plump mouthfeel and silky texture. Generous, flavoursome and beautifully balanced with a lengthy velvety finish. At its best: now to 2026. Certified organic.” - Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, 93/100 points