The 2007 vintage was one of the most difficult for many years with the vines and subsequent yields suffering severely from Australia’s worst drought in recent history. Despite these extreme conditions the summer of 2007 still gave us typical cool nights so characteristic of McLaren Vale creating perfect conditions for elegance and finesse not normally associated with a drought situation.
The wine was fermented in traditional open fermenters with heading board systems and in static open fermenters using gentle cap management techniques. The pressed wine was aged in a combination of new French and American oak complemented with an even mix of 1, 2, 3 and 4 year old oak.
The major percentage is from our McLaren Flat vineyard together with that of our immediate neighbour. These vineyards, located at the northern part of the foothills, ripen later than many of the other sub-regions resulting in "cooler climate” aromatic dark fruit driven wines with intense mid to back palate presence and an abundance of soft velvety tannins. The balance of the blend is sourced from vineyards in the Seaview, Willunga and Aldinga regions of McLaren Vale. These vineyards are located in sites where the influence of strong soils gives rise to intense aromas and flavours.
Biodynamic in Conversion
Biodynamic practice, not certified. Kevin O’Brien started conversion to BD in spring 2007 by applying 500 and 501 to 7ha of older vineyard near the winery and on two new, close-planted blocks of shiraz and albarinho. ‘We want to make sure that what we leave behind to the next generation is sustainable,’ he says. ‘I don’t know of another approach to viticulture at the moment that can deliver this."
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