VINEYARD & WINEMAKING
Petit verdot is a classic variety used in high-quality Bordeaux blends, though rarely mentioned on the front label or seen as a straight varietal wine. This is especially true in Bordeaux where the fruit ripens later than cabernet and is only used in small amounts (less than 5%) to add colour, tannin structure and aromatics. A few vineyard sites in Western Australia are well suited to petit verdot, showcasing it at full ripeness, displaying expressions of black fruit, minerality and pronounced floral and herbal notes.

This 2020 parcel was originally planned for our cabernet blend but it looked too good in the barrel for blending. Grown in the Pemberton region, the petit verdot has become well adapted to the rich soils of this region. Harvested on 2nd April 2020, the fruit was picked and cold soaked for three days in a small open fermenter. Wild fermentation was encouraged to start the ferment before a selected yeast strain was added. The wine was pressed into French oak barrels where it stayed for ten months before bottling. 

THE WINE

This wine displays bright and vibrant aromas of dark berries, plum and violet against a background of cedar and some graphite minerality. The fruit characters follow through on the palate with dark fruit, blackberry and a subtle savoury edge. A pleasing medium weight and textured mouthfeel lead to complex, dry tannins and a flavoursome soft finish. We expect the wine to age well in bottle with cellaring potential of 15 years. This wine is best enjoyed with fine food, and bold enough to pair with flavoursome dishes such as barbeque, spiced and smoked meats, as well as hard aged cheeses.

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CRITIC REVIEWS OF NOTE

2020

96 points, Gold, Wine Showcase Magazine New Releases Tasting, July 2022