The lead-up to the 2013 vintage saw an early onset of summer, with occasional thunderstorms and only four heat spikes, into the 40s, over summer. A cooler than average January followed by a warm February, brought the predicted early vintage even further forward. Even after the dry-fecta of winter/spring/summer the word from the winery floor was that it would be another great Eden Valley riesling year, followed up with some great old-vine shiraz. Fortunately, a desperately needed 16mm of rain came, the first for nearly six months, at the beginning of March to help the dry-grown vines struggle through to full maturity. The roller-coaster weather ride continued through March with almost weekly cycles of hot and cold. Cool drizzly weather at the end of March nearly brought the harvest to a halt, but a return to the Indian summer conditions in early April gave us a chance to get the late varieties in Eden Valley over the line for another great vintage of average yields and fabulous rock solid quality.

Succulent blue fruits, blackcurrant paste, blackberry
and spiced plum aromas are interwoven with savoury Dutch liquorice, sage, cracked black pepper and cedar.

The palate has lovely concentration, with layers of plum, blackcurrant, blackberry and liquorice, finishing fleshy and well-structured, with rolling chalky tannins.

Deep rich crimson in colour.

Matured in 81% French and 19% American (34% new, 66% seasoned) hogsheads for 18 months prior to blending and bottling.