Awards and Accolades

92 Points - James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion
"The normally reticent Rolf Binder launches into a lengthy description of this wine on the back label. It has a black cherry/blackcurrant bouquet, savoury tannins coming through on the palate adding another, almost tarry, flavour dimension. Montepulciano is meant to be happy go lucky, but this doesn't buy that line."

90 Points - Gary Walsh, The Wine Front
"Whatever next! Montepulciano from the Eden Valley, where it was grafted 25 year old Riesling vines.
The oak is not excessive by any means, though I’d rather a little less of it with this grape. Dark cherry, tar, spice, sage and slightly resinous oak. Medium bodied, dense and smooth, all dark cherry, brine and tar with dark chocolate. Sumptuous Turkish coffee tannin, and some coffee oak to go with it. Dry, firm and earthy on the finish with a distinct saline character. Shows promise I think."

From the Winery

A varietal with its origin in the Abruzzo region of east-central Italy, the fruit for this second release 2014 Montepulciano came from a grower in Eden Valley who had grafted 25 year old Riesling vines to Montepulciano. The yield was approx. 2.5 tonnes/acre with about a third of the crop dropped at veraison in order to maximise concentration of flavour in the vineyard. Grapes were harvested late in the vintage, in April, as this region, with its cool nights and high elevation, is perfect for slow ripening and intense fruit flavours.

A constant pattern of low yields, yet late harvest across all varieties, particularly red, is the mark of the vintage. Ideal, mild weather from mid February on resulted in fragrant red wines (especially Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon) at modest alcohol levels. The Barossa Valley had excellent winter rains that carried the vines through the hot, dry late spring and summer drought until the February two-day heavy rains. On average, yields were down 40%, but the red wines are rich and varietal, with dense colours and a structure suggesting they will be very ageworthy.

Second release, attempting to capture more of the typical essence of Montepulciano using fruit from Eden Valley. The wine was matured for 18 months in 30% new French oak (quintessence) with the rest of the wine matured in shaven French oak. Bottled 6 months earlier than the previous release.

Analysis

Acidity 5.8 gl/l, pH 3.6