2021 Adelaide Hills Tempranillo

TASTING NOTE

This Tempranillo displays aromatics of cherry and red berries. The palate is juicy and bright, leaning more towards the blue fruited spectrum with warm spice and a subtle earthiness that gives the wine a savoury profile. The silky tannins have great presence and are supported by fresh acid line.

VINTAGE SUMMARY

We experienced an almost textbook growing season over 2020/2021 with rainfall back at long term averages and mild weather over flowering which allowed for a good fruit set leading to above average yields.

Over the ripening period we experienced cooler than normal weather leading to an extended time on vine to develop some great varietal characters and maintain bright natural acidities

VINEYARD

The fruit for this wine comes from the Yacca Paddock Vineyard in Kuitpo (In the south west corner of the Adelaide Hills). The vineyard sits 350m above sea level looking over the Kuitpo forest. Vines are trellised with a single cordon. 

WINEMAKING

The fruit was crushed and chilled to a stainless steel open fermenter for a 4 day cold soak then underwent a 100% wild fermentation. The wine was fermented to sugar dry on skins then basket pressed 3 days after alcoholic fermentation had finished when the structure of the wine felt balanced and complete. Once pressed the wine was racked off lees to old French oak puncheons for malolactic fermentation and maturation. The wine remained in barrel for 8 months. No fining, vegan friendly. 

FOOD PAIRING

Smoked lamb cutlets with polenta and roasted cherry tomatoes

WINEMAKER

Skye Salter

VARIETY: 100%Tempranillo

REGION: McLaren Vale, South Australia

SOIL: Loamy sand over light clay.

ALCOHOL: 14.0%
TA: 6.23 g/L
pH: 3.61

Awards & Reviews:

92 Points - Top Value Wine of the Week, #1 Tempranillo in South Australia - Huon Hooke, The Real Review

"Tempranillo is fast becoming a staple of the warmer regions’ winemakers, and all I can say is what took them so long?

Deep, bold purple colour, with a youthfully bright spicy and meaty bouquet that hints at some whole bunch/whole berry fermentation. The palate is rich, fruit-sweet and delicious, with fine, smooth tannins and fleshy texture. A succulent wine, drinking well now and for a few years hence."

92 Points - Halliday Wine Companion, Ned Goodwin MW

"This is impressive. Mid weighted, savoury and poised, servicing drinkability and immense versatility at the diverse Australian table. The tannins, impeccably extracted. Lithe and attenuated like a slick of cherry cola seeping across the gums. Blue-fruit aspersions, otherwise. If you seek a supple, mid-weighted red that shan't get in the way of the food and conversation, here is your ticket."