The individual batches were destemmed and sent as whole berries using only wild yeast residing on the fruit. Cabernet parcels were left on skins for 8-20 days to extract a fine backbone of tannins and blackcurrant laden fruit. Open top and use of aeration during fermentation helped to promote a clean fruit perfume, soften the tannins and bring life to the wine. The resulting wines were matured in fine French oak for 12 months prior to blending, with limited racking to help preserve the delicate wild characters captured in this low intervention approach.

Similar to the previous season, the 2018 vintage experienced cooler than average conditions. Spring and early Summer delivered intermittent cool then moderate weeks before a run of below average temperatures in January and February. Late January rain led to a fear of disease, however a beautiful period of ripening followed with ample sunshine and strong daily sea breezes preserving vibrant fruit flavours and acidity. Our white varieties ripened with ideal sugar levels and high malic acid content for the third year running, resulting in a desire to allow some natural malolactic ferment in our Chardonnays. Meanwhile, the reds ripened slowly and gently through a dry Autumn ensuring fully developed tannins and a slightly riper and fleshier fruit profile to 2017.

85.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11.8% Malbec, 1.5% Petit Verdot, 1.2% Merlot