2006 Vintage

VinesMCabernet Franc Grenache Mouvédre

VineyardMTall VSP trellis with 3 pairs of foliage wires rows oriented NW/SE to prevent sunburn.

VintageMFairly average for rainfall though the dry late spring was relieved by a downpour in late summer. This was the first crop of the Cabernet Franc which was planted for rosé production.
The young Grenache & Mouvédre vines did not produce enough weight for production of a red wine
so this fruit was made into Rosé (separately from the Cabernet Franc).

Winemaking
The hand-harvested grapes were chilled, destemmed & crushed and held in 2,000 vats for cold maceration at less than 10°C until a good colour level was obtained. Then they were pressed to yield a red unfermented juice. This was inoculated with cultured yeast and fermented cold in stainless steel, to dryness. These wines were held on lees in tank to ‘fill out’ (Cabernet Franc plus Grenache & Mouvédre were fermented separately). The two Rosés were blended together before bottling to give a fragrant, dry yet full-bodied wine.

Tasting Notes
Aromatic Cabernet Franc berry aromas dominate this wine. It has an attractive deep pink, almost red colour. The palate has fruit with an impression of sugarless sweetness, as the wine has been fermented dry, showing in the clean fresh finish. It is a very versatile wine that would suit a number of Asian dishes.