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Currently out of stock
Zinfandel is a particularly challenging variety to manage in the vineyard and winery. Introduced to Cape Mentelle via cuttings from California, vines were planted in 1974 to a ridge of free draining lateritic gravel on an east west orientation to minimise the affects of strong westerly sea breezes. This capricious, low density bush vine site requires fastidious attention to detail. A rich, hedonistically dimensional effort makes all the hard work worthwhile and as such has developed something of a cult following among enthusiasts of bold red wines. Predominantly sourced off Cape Mentelle estate vines, grown to a combination of ironstone gravel soils, old bush vines and vertically shoot positioned canopies. Vines are shoot thinned and in some cases leaf plucked to ensure the perfect balance between ensuring fruit exposure to light, along with protection from the midday sun. Grapes are hand picked and destemmed, the musts are cold soaked for several days prior to vinification, softening up the raisined berries before being inoculated to a vigorous strain of yeast. Fruit is steadily fermented to dryness before being basket pressed directy into a selection of large oak vats and French barriques for malolactic and sixteen months maturation. Alcohol 14.5%
TASTING NOTESDeep, dark crimson red. Nose of ripe blackberry, fresh prunes, cinnamon and chocolate, anise and fruit cake. Layers of juicy plums and ripe currants enclosed in a full, creamy and textural palate enhanced by hints of allspice and vanilla. The robust, plushly fruit driven mouthfeel is concentrated, savoury and complex. The finish is long and fresh on a length of velvety tannins. |