This wine is a blend of both Heathcote and Harcourt fruit. It has serious intensity, Nebbiolo-like tannins and genuine age-worthiness. It was matured in a range of wood (mostly neutral) and concrete vessels for 16 months, before resting in steel tank for six months prior to bottling in late February 2023. It really benefits from plenty of air at this stage in its life, so we encourage drinkers to decant it as early as they can. It gets better and better.
“Good depth of red with a purple tint, and aromas of black berries, subtle herbs and spices, with a floral/violet note and a trace of iodine; the palate is full and rounded, with liberal drying tannins, the medicinal herbs chiming in again towards the finish and adding a cleansing note of bitterness. This should well reward a few years in the cellar.” 93 points, Huon Hooke, The Real Review
“A blend of Heathcote and Harcourt fruit, brought to life in mostly old oak and concrete for 16 months, then to stainless before bottling. It’s 70% whole bunch or so. While juicy and thick set it has a good deal of fruit, spice and herbal information, both perfume and palate does dark cherry, choc-mint, sage leaf, blood orange – with fine, firm, al dente tannin in the vein of nerello mascalese or similar. It’s a brooding and deep red, chewy and potent but with levity on its side. Charming in the moodier frame.” 93 points, Mike Bennie, The Wine Front
Organically Grown Vines (certification underway)