Heathcote
Montepulciano
13.5%
.
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Vineyard: Sourced from the Heathcote Ridge Vineyards near Corop in northern Heathcote. The ancient red Cambrian soils are ideal for the production dark and concentrated Montepulciano grapes.
Season: Optimal conditions for both flowering and fruit set in the vineyard gave well balanced yields with plenty of promise leading into the 2020 harvest. A dry January and February followed, culminating in a relatively compressed vintage, though attention to detail in the vineyards gave winemakers wonderfully balanced fruit with concentration of flavour and exceptional natural acidity.
Tasting Note: Deep red with purple edge. Concentrated red and blue fruits, fennel and olive spice and dark chocolate. Layered tannins combine with natural acidity to create a complex wine of depth and intrigue.
Winemaking: Hand-picked and 100% destemmed gently to stainless steel with a focus on maintaining skin integrity. Cold soaked for 3 days prior to natural fermentation commencing. Soft pump-overs and plunging were conducted daily and an extended maceration on skins post-ferment was important to harness the optimal tannin content. Pressed to French oak barriques for MLF and maturation on lees for 18 months prior to blending and bottling without fining or filtration.
Cellaring: A deliciously bright and round wine in its youth, this wine will continue to develop generosity with 5+ years cellaring.
- Valentine Wines