Growing Conditions
A traditionally wet winter, mild spring and excellent fruit set provided a great start to the 2015 vintage after four vintages with below average yields. Spring was dry and led into a very mild, dry summer with no disease, resulting in fruit with higher natural acidity, and incredible flavour and colour concentration. A dry, warm and windy start to January,
however, resulted in one of the worst bushfires in the Adelaide Hills in living memory, though well away from our Adelaide Hills vineyards. By the end of the first week, relief came with 60-75mm of rain and a record-breaking coolest January in 11 years. With the
onset of veraison at the end of January, the rain was perfectly timed for the old dry-grown vineyards, and the mild weather that followed from February through to April provided for Fra fairytale vintage.
Nose
Rich aromas of spicy black cherry, red currant, wild forest fruits and raspberries and cream combine beautifully with herbal nuances of flowering thyme and notes of cedar and vanilla.
Palate
A deep and brooding palate of black and red cherries is balanced by complex herbal notes and a hint of anise, showing wonderful texture and length with rolling, fine, velvety tannins.
Appearance
Garnet in colour with ruby hues.
Food Pairing
Free range rock fillet, mustard shards, salted blackberry sauce.
Aging
Matured in 21% new and 79% seasoned French barriques for 10 months prior to blending and bottling. Reserve release.