Region: McLaren Vale Grapes: Monastrell First Glance: Savoury, Plush, Spicy
The Wine: The 2022 vintage was similar to 2021, with La Nina driving a cooler summer and autumn than usual. Thankfully the wet conditions that can also be a feature of this weather pattern missed us in McLaren Vale, instead drenching the north of our state and infamously the east coast of Australia. The cooler conditions pushed the start of the vintage out by two weeks, into the shorter days/longer nights of Autumn. Yields were down, but in the cool conditions ripening was even and slow, with natural acids remaining very high. The resulting wine is delightfully savoury with cracked pepper nuance and firm structure.
We've chosen the Monastrell moniker over our previous use of Mataro. We found Mataro tends to have a reputation of being a big tannic beast which is certainly not what we try to produce. Our Monastrell is made to be more medium bodied, yet to have all the lovely spice and savoury notes. The hard soil and the thick-skinned berries naturally lead to some late, chewy tannin. Whole bunches in the ferment help to temper the weight of the wine as does earlier picking. Thirteen months in older French hogsheads helps to soften the wine. Bottled in February 2023 without fining or filtration.
