“Winemaker Matt Froude does things like Texas BBQ, low and slow. Doesn’t bother too much about playing with the hip set or setting social media aflame, and takes his time with releasing wine, when they’re ready, steady and good to go. I like it. Tempranillo has been a good thing from here in Strathbogie Ranges.
Aromatic wine, dark fruited, real cola characters, dried leaves, truffle and liquorice scents. Beautiful start, segues into this supple and lush palate of warm, dark, stewed berry fruit characters with dark chocolate, truffle and peppery spice notes playing harmoniously and wonderful in the wine. Finishes brightish, a little tart and fresh, despite the warm afterglow of each brooding, spicy sip. Magic stuff. 94pts.”
Mike Bennie, The Wine Front
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“Colour: Bright and crimson red with great depth. Aroma: Youthful, lifted and complex with spiced plum, maraschino cherry, clove, vanilla, nutmeg, cola, and lots of savoury spice jumping out of the glass. Palate: Powerful red and blue fruits including spiced plum, boysenberry andzv blackberry, clove, nutmeg, cola, and savoury spices with fresh acid, firm powdery tannins and a wonderful long and attractive finish. Wine Profile Region: Strathbogie Ranges Vineyard: Whitegate Vintage: 2016 Variety: 100% Tempranillo Production: 126 Cases Harvested: 25/2/16 pH: 3.57 T/A: 6.68 Alcohol: 13.8% Fermentation: Three day cold soak prior to fermentation to extract aroma compounds and improve colour brightness without the presence of alcohol, followed by a short 8 day ferment kept below 25 degrees to retain the delicate Tempranillo aromas. The must was immediately pressed post fermentation as the 2016 fruit delivered wines high in tannin and with good structure. Maturation: 25 months in barrel. The 1st year in 25% new French oak Vicard hogsheads and 30% second use Radoux French oak Puncheons with the remainder in older oak. The second year all in barrels greater than three years old. This wine is a blend of the best four barrels of 2016 Tempranillo. Whitegate Vineyard Profile Size of Vineyard Block: 0.5 Ha Row Orientation: North / South Trellis System: Vertical Shoot Position (VSP) Pruning: Spur Planting density: 1,200 Vines/Ha Clone: D8V 13 Average Vine Age: 12 years Yield: 5.66T/Ha Climate: Continental climate, warm days followed by very cool nights. MJT: 20.7 Growing Season Rainfall: 320mm-380mm Soil: Sandy loam, giving way to decomposed granite. Altitude: 480 Meters.”
Matt Froude
