Tasting Notes

Tar & Roses

2011 Tempranillo

Grapes

100% Tempranillo

District of Origin of Grapes

64% Heathcote and 36% Alpine Valleys

Vinification

A combination of three vineyards, two from Heathcote and the other from the Alpine Valleys. The fruit was picked over three days and combined into one batch in the winery. Crushed and de-stemmed into a vinimatic fermenter, it was spun twice daily. After fermentation, during which time the temperature and acid levels were monitored constantly, the wine was pressed to tank using an air bag press. Racked off gross lees and transferred to barrel to finish malolactic fermentation and mature in a combination of new French and older barriques.

Oak Maturation

Approximately 10% new French oak component.

Analysis

Alcohol 13%
pH 3.6
Acid 6.6g/L
Sugar <1.0gm/L

Colour

Cherry red.

Nose

Hints of sarsaparilla and licorice, blackcurrant jubes and plums with an underlying touch of dusty dry hay bale

Palate

The wine has fresh sweet black cherries with a touch of tartness nicely balanced by chalky tannin and excellent lingering prune plum flavours.

Food Match

Sweet & sticky pork spare ribs.

Winemakers Comments

In contrast to the Nebbiolo and Sangiovese within our range the Tempranillo is an early ripener and has no problem reaching full maturity in the soils at Heathcote. Although the ripening is slightly later in the Alpine Valleys, good fruit maturity was established. Tempranillo is prone to developing big bunches and berries when grown in rich soil so the rather gravely, tougher soil specific to Heathcote in particular, provides some restraint. Grown largely in the Rioja and Ribero del Duero regions of Spain, it is well suited to the warm, dry summers of Central Victoria.