First Drop Mother’s Ruin McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
VINTAGE 2019: A very dry winter and spring, with frost events in September and November disrupting bud burst and flowering, resulted in the lightest crops in the past decade. January and February were warm and dry, and in conjunction with the low yields, ripening was rapid. Quick decision making and early picking resulted in reds with great intensity and structure thanks also to the light crops and early tannin maturity. 2019 was a challenging vintage, but one of the most rewarding, with our alternative varieties showing particularly well. The overall quality is a tribute to our growers and their perseverance in a difficult growing season. We salute you!
The fruit is crushed/destemmed and fermented at temperatures ranging from 20- 25°C for 10 days on skins. The ferment is managed by a variety of techniques, including ‘aerative pump overs’ and ‘drain and returns’ which assist in extracting colour, flavour and tannin from the grapes. At the end of fermentation, it is drained/pressed, and transferred to 10% new French oak barriques, and the balance to 3 and 4 year old French oak hogsheads to undergo MLF. Post MLF, sulphur dioxide is added, and the wines mature sur lie for 18 months.
Body: Medium Bodied
Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon
Yangarra Estate Hickinbotham Clarendon Grenache 2019
Our first release of this wine and the only wine we make that is not sourced from the Yangarra Estate. We felt with Grenache being our specialty that this small plot (0.9 ha) of Grenache planted in 1962 is incredibly well-suited to our portfolio of single block wines. Hand-picked on the 9th of March and mechanically berry sorted, 100% destemmed, crushed and then tipped into 1800 L ‘cocciopesto’ stone egg-shaped amphoras. The fermentation occurred in the amphoras, with a gentle maceration of only wetting the cap, and remained on skins for 90 days. No pressings are used in this wine. Matured exclusively in the amphora for a further 8 months.
Hand-picked fruit is destemmed and fermented in 1800L egg-shaped amphorae, remaining on skins for 90 days. It then remains in the amphorae for a further 8 months. The resulting Grenache adds another exceptional expression to Yangarra’s stable. It holds great fruit purity and intensity, concentration, and a refreshing line of acidity.
Yangarra Estate High Sands Grenache 2019
Sourced exclusively from our special Block 31 (1.7 Ha). At 210m elevation, this is the highest section of the 1946 planted bush vine Grenache, which also has the deepest sandy soil. Our small yields were hand-picked 6th of March and mechanically sorted. 50% whole berries were destemmed and placed in open fermenters, with a long, gentle maceration for a minimum of 21 days. Wild yeast ferment. No pressings are used in this wine. Matured on lees in older large French oak and ceramic eggs for 11 months. Bottled March 2020.
On the palate, it reveals a perfumed, powerful and pristine with vibrant red berry fruit. Cherries, rose petal, clove, white spice, pomegranate seeds. Complex minerality with elegant, sculpted tannins.
Pairs well with kangaroo tartare, all spice, parsley, lemon, chilli, free range egg and potato crisps or Roast duck with cherries
Yangarra Estate IronHeart Shiraz 2019
Sourced exclusively from Block 15 (1.8 Ha), which lies amongst a north facing gravelly ironstone outcrop where the North Maslin Sand geology comes to the surface. Hand-picked (29th March), 25% whole bunches and the remainder has been destemmed, mechanical berry sorted and crushed. Open fermenters and on skins for 16 days. A gentle maceration principle of wetting the cap and only draining and returning when reductive. Wild yeast ferment. No pressings are used in this wine. Kept on lees in 35% new French oak puncheons, 65% older French oak Puncheons for 9 months. We selected individual barrels which were blended and further matured for 7 months in a 2-year-old French 25hL foudre. Bottled September 2020.
On the palate, it reveals intense and graceful with savoury oak tannins framing complex layers of bright fruit – blackcurrant pastilles, plum, blueberry, leather.
Pairs well with steak with Heirloom tomatoes, slow roasted onion and red wine jus or Barbequed spareribs