We ship our wines in lots of 2, 6 or 12 bottles to ensure they arrive safely, so please make up your order in multiples of 2, 6 or 12 bottles. Mixed packs of different wines are welcome.
Blend
Sangiovese (91%), Canaiolo Nero (3%), Mammolo (2%), Colorino (2%) Malvasia Nera (2%) CANBERRA DISTRICT
Season
Counterintuitively, a relatively cool and moist growing season facilitated full ripening and very good accumulation of flavour and tannin in sangiovese.
Viticulture
A number of clones of Sangiovese as well as small quantities of the traditional Tuscan blending varieties Canaiolo Nero, Mammolo, Colorino and Malvasia Nera are grown on a range of vineyards across both granite and shaley soil near Murrumbateman.
Winemaking
The grapes were hand-harvested at around 13 Baumé. Fermentation with natural yeast took place in open fermenters which were worked by hand to extract flavour and tannin. Parcels went through a natural malolactic fermentation and ageing in a mix of new (10%) and seasoned Allier and Tronçais oak. Blending and bottling took place in March 2022.
Taste
Spiced redcurrant, mulberry and tobacco yield to a rich palate framed by cherries, hints of tar and firm savoury tannins.
Praise for the 2019 vintage:
"Alex McKay has an affinity with Italian reds and boy, does it show here. At first deceptively light with sour cherry, warm earth and layers of spice. It builds, moves and entices. It’s complex with cherry kernels and amaro on the medium-bodied palate, Italianate tannins coat the mouth and the fresh acidity ensures the next sip is as fabulous as the previous one. 95 pts." - Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion
"Medium-full ruby to brick-red colour, with a complex and alluring bouquet of terracotta, dry leather, mellow dark fruits and a hint of dark chocolate in the background. The palate is medium-full bodied and rich, fleshy and supple, with lovely texture and drinkability, the aged mellowness a bonus. A delicious red wine, the middle-palate has a sneaky touch of chocolaty fruit sweetness and the tannins have mellowed to a nice easy stage. Really complex and a delightful drink now. And really keen value - 95 points." - Huon Hooke, The Real Review
