Estate fruit was sourced from our dry-grown ‘Rhône Block’ which has a sloping north/north-westerly aspect. Varieties were individually hand-picked with a crop level of under 1.7 tonne per acre. Grenache (48%), Shiraz (29%) and Mourvèdre (22%) fermented separately in open top stainless-steel vats with a mix of wild and cultured yeasts.Selected vats were left on skins for extended maceration (up to 20 days). After fermentation, the individual vats were basket-pressed and transferred by gravity to barrel for maturation in a mix of French oak barriques (second fill and older) for 18 months prior to assembly. No fining or filtration.

Initially restrained and brooding on the nose that requires some coaxing but eventually reveals layers of dark bramble fruits, blood orange and liquorice root. The palate gives stewed berries, baking spice and subtle notes of cured meat set against a backdrop of bright acidity and fine-grained tannins. With elegant structure and a long finish with notes of black plum, this wine will continue to evolve complex savoury character with age.