The 2023 growing season was the fourth cool season in a row. These 2020-2023 La Nina seasons will be remembered for their challenges, but also the lovely elegant wines they have produced. Cool is one thing, but wet and humid is another, Extreme October-December rains and high humidity kept the vineyard team on it’s toes. Keeping the vineyard disease free and balanced during this period was the key to this wonderful vintage. From Jan-April we saw welcome dry periods with all fruit picked between March 10th and April 4th. The wines are vibrant, flavorsome and balanced with delicious Chardonnay and Pinot Noir as well as spicy and aromatic Syrah.

Brilliant bright crimson red, electric purple hues. An intensely aromatic and highly perfumed wine with blue fruits and exotic spice dominating the aromas. The palate has great energy, blueberry and raspberry fruit, spice and savoury flavours around a backbone of natural acid. The mouthfeel is lithe with slinky fine tannins and a clean, fruit-driven finish. A wine made for immediate consumption that will improve with careful cellaring over the medium term.

Our steep front block of Shiraz was handpicked on 20th March and the whole fruit immediately placed in the coolroom. The following day 85% of the fruit was destemmed and 15% left as whole bunches. The whole bunches were placed on the bottom of the fermenter and the destemmed berries tipped over the top. Once fermentation commenced the cap was gently extracted twice a day and remained on its skins for 12 days. At the completion of ferment, the wine was pressed to tank and then racked to old French oak barrels for malolactic fermentation. After 9 months in barrel, the blend was assembled with no fining and was bottled December 13th, 2023.

Perfectly paired with light meats, peking duck or some pecorino cheese.