Over the past 12 years, we have always been overwhelmed by the presence of our Caveat vineyard in the Strathbogie Ranges. A supposedly sealed road that wanders north from Yea climbing to the elevated granite soils that sit 600m above sea level. Generally 5 degrees cooler than the valley floor, this small vineyard is surrounded not by other vineyards but rather unforgiving grazing land. With the often challenging conditions of 2016 (heat and drought) we were once again curious to observe the resilience of these wonderful vines planted in 1983. Unirrigated, they are unrushed and once again delivered fruit of pure dimensions, stunning granite soil influence on the back palate holding line and offering great presence.
All our Rieslings in 2016 were crushed to the press and so remained until we felt the juice had built up enough tannin. Then this juice was pressed slowly to large old oak and sometimes tank where the wine remained without any additions other than SO2 until bottling in August. Time on gross lees with the phenolic back drop combined with the electric fruit profile has resulted in a series of wines that are only just beginning a long life of communicating Strathbogie in 2016.
Mac Forbes
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