COLOUR Dark, dark red. AROMATICS Characteristically intense lifted varietal characters of violets and grenadine. PALATE A rich, smooth palate showing an array of dark berry and plum flavours, spices (cloves, mace …) and charry oak, with lovely velvety tannins and a long, fruit-dominated finish. OAK MATURATION 14 months in new oak barriques: 40% Croatian, 40% American and 20% French. AGEING POTENTIAL Pronounced flavours and structural balance will carry the wine for many years.
VINTAGE 2008 After a late onset to a generally mild wet winter icy gales in late winter and early spring were followed by destructive hail storms just after fruit set. The remainder of the growing and ripening season was warm and fine, allowing welcome opportunity for vine and crop recuperation. Yield recovery from the early setbacks was erratic but thankfully quality, after vigilant disease monitoring and careful canopy management, was not adversely affected. Fruit flavours developed well and ripening was even, with minimal disease pressure. A vintage of modest volume but high quality.
