Savoury olive and thyme succumbs to classic mouth-filling nebbiolo tannins, tempered by sweet lingering flavours of blueberries

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Tar & Roses

2006 Nebbiolo

Grapes

100% Nebbiolo

District of Origin of Grapes

100% Heathcote, Central Victoria

Vinification

Fruit was machine harvested into 2.5t steel bins and transported directly to the winery for immediate processing. Destemmed and crushed to a Potter fermenter, the juice was pumped over only twice a day for five minutes each time, to avoid any excess pick up of tannin. After approx. 10 days of fermentation, during which the temperature and acid levels were monitored and adjusted as necessary it was pressed to tank using a gentle air bag press. The wine was then racked off gross lees directly to barrel to finish malolactic fermentation and matured in barriques and hogsheads for 12 months.

Oak Maturation

Approximately 12 months maturation oak with 16% new French oak component.

Analysis

Alcohol 13.9%
pH 3.4
Acid 6.61g/L
Sugar <1.0gm/L

Colour

Brick red.

Nose

Herbal teas, fragrant floral notes, black olive tapenade and bees wax/honey aromas.

Palate

Savoury olive and thyme quickly succumbs to the classic mouth-filling assertive nebbiolo tannins. This is tempered by sweet lingering flavours of blueberries.

Food Match

Lamb shanks with parsnip potato mash.

Winemakers Comments

Nebbiolo is a thin skinned variety and known for its unusual light colour and deceptively high level of tannins. In fertile soils it can produce large crops with large bunches and berries. The Heathcote vineyard, while close to the rich deep Cambrian vein of soil, is tempered by harder granite gravels that has seen the vines produce a more balanced canopy to crop ratio. The balanced crop level has meant even ripening and minimal disease pressures.