Tasting Notes

Heathcote’s answer to a dusky Pinot – A deep red in colour with a purple hue, the wine displays perfumed aromas of musk, sandalwood and sour cherry. The front palate is bright and savoury, the tannins sitting behind the raspberry and blackberry fruits, and there is earthy forest floor on the finish. An elegant wine to enjoy with roast duck, venison, vegetarian and mushroom dishes.

Variety: 100% Mourvèdre
Vintage: 2018
Harvest Date: 19th March 2018
Vineyard Location: Northwest vineyards
Geology / Soil Profile: Deep, rocky red clay loam (derived from Cambrian Rock)
Viticulture Practices: Un-irrigated vineyards, zero tillage, grass sward between rows, cane pruned
Oenological Data: Yields – 1 tonne/acre
Alcohol: 13.1%
pH: 3.4
TA: 6.6
Bottle Packaging: 750 ml punted burgundy
Closure: Stelvin ROTP Screwcap

The 2018 Vintage:
2018 had a relatively dry ripening season, resulting in lower yields but very good quality. Smaller berries mean higher skin to juice ration, therefore the vines gave up great colour and natural tannins. The dry weather meant that minimal spraying for pests and diseases was required, so the fruit was free from chemical intervention.

The Vineyard:
All grapes were Estate grown, sourced from north facing slopes of the Dowd’s Lane vineyard. The block supporting the Mourvèdre is rocky and elevated and exposed to the hot summer winds. The vines are unirrigated and very low yielding. The vines are cane-pruned by hand and wrapped to a single wire trellis to encourage some bunch shading during the heat of summer.

The Winemaking:
Just over 3 tonnes of grapes were harvested by hand on the 19 March 2018, destemmed and crushed into an open fermenter. Two hours later 600 litres of juice were pumped off to make our Rosé, leaving the remaining ferment concentrated with skins. After four weeks on skins, the wine was basket pressed and aged in old oak for 18 months prior to bottling. It has neither been filtered or fined.