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Vinification
Grenache was harvested in early April once the fruit had reached the required level of ripeness and flavour. This fruit was harvested by machine at night to ensure preservation of fruit characters. The smaller Shiraz component was picked early March.
A combination of open fermenters and stainless steel pump-over tanks were used. A warm to hot ferment temperature, combined with regular pump-overs and plunging ensured optimum extraction. Timely pressing and only using the best press wine fractions ensured good quality of flavour and tannin. A little Shiraz was included prior to maturation with French oak, to add complexity and mid palate richness. The wine was bottled early, under screwcap, to ensure freshness and longevity.
Winemakers Comments
The 2006 vintage was characterised by lower crops, especially of the red grapes, but excellent quality levels. There was a heatwave in January and a little rain at harvest but the McLaren Vale fruit was particularly good.
Tasting Notes
Full bright red with purple hue. Intense, dark red fruit and well-integrated cedar and toasty oak. A more intense vintage than the 2005, with darker fruit character and a more weighty structure. A promising early start.
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