This classic southern Rhone blend bursts with aromas of mulberry and spirited cherries over notes of fragrant violets and white pepper. The inclusion of a high percentage of whole clusters in the ferment provides extra lift to the nose with sweetened chai spice aromas, perfectly balanced by a touch of dried lavender.
100% Hazel's Vineyard
Grapes: 68% Grenache, 22% Syrah, 10% Mataro
In Stock
Wine Specs
Vintage
2021
Varietal
Grenache | Syrah | Mataro
Vineyard
Hazel's Vineyard
Bottling Date
February 2023
Alcohol %
14.5
The Real Review
90
Halliday Wine Companion
95
Wine Profile
Tasting Notes
This spicy blend bursts with aromas of mulberry and black cherries over notes of fragrant violets and white pepper. The inclusion of a high percentage of whole clusters in the ferment provides extra lift to the nose with sweetened chai spice aromas, perfectly balanced by a touch of dried herbs. The palate opens with juicy and generous red fruits from the Grenache, Syrah and Mataro adding structure, spice, and savouriness. The finish is persistent with layers of cocoa, cherry liqueur and a frame of firm, but fine tannins.
Vineyard
100% Hazel’s Vineyard - biodynamically farmed and our southernmost vineyard. Hazel’s combines cooling Southern Ocean influences (12km from the ocean) with a northerly aspect and plenty of sunshine.
Wine Making
A blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mataro from our Hazel’s vineyard. Each parcel was harvested and vinified separately in vertical, open top stone fermenters with no temperature control. Grenache was fermented with 50% whole clusters, while Syrah and Mataro were destemmed, but the berries not crushed. The fruit spent between 8-14 days on skins before being gently pressed directly into large format oak casks and
small concrete vessels for malolactic fermentation in our underground cellar. The wines were racked at the beginning of spring and blended in February 2023.
Vintage Report
A season that slowly escalated into a very hectic but also exciting harvest. A cooler and wet Spring saw vine growth delayed in development, and we were set for a late start of harvest. But then Summer came, and it was full of sunshine, dry and warm through December, January, and February with warm days and some warm nights. Ripeness across all white varieties was quicker than average with a rather compressed
Chardonnay harvest. Quality across all whites is excellent, with lots of flavour and concentration yet retaining perfume and drive. The red harvest started about a week after the end of the whites, giving our busy cellar team very little time to catch their breath. Yields were lower than expected across red varietals as well, however the warm and dry weather created desirable conditions for our reds that are already showcasing fantastic tannin ripeness, concentration, and vibrancy of colour.