The vineyard is located within the Waipara Valley of North Canterbury, on free-draining, north-facing terraces.  It benefits from being in the lee of the Teviotdale Range, giving maximum protection from the Pacific’s easterly breezes and thus creating a unique mesoclimate.  The vines are over 30 years old, with a large proportion planted on their roots.  They are located on the “Glasnevin Gravels” where greywacke stones, silt and loam have been washed down from the mountains over the millennia. The soil is of low fertility, resulting in naturally reduced vine vigour.

Our aged release program started in 2006 when we set aside a few cases of our key varieties, Riesling & Pinot Noir, intending to release them in 2016, 10 years later. Stock has been set aside every vintage since. The inspiration for this came from the desire to allow our customers to taste these wines in full maturity, which is relatively rare these days. We consider this a particularly satisfying time to experience these wines with the added complexities of bottle age, while still offering years of good drinking ahead.

THE WINE The colour is deep ruby, tending towards chocolate at the rim. On the nose, there is a captivating web of red fruit, spice and savoury nuances.

Aromas of pomegranate, cherry, pepper and clove are interlaced with notes of grilled game and black olive tapenade; these savoury aspects become more prominent with extended maturation in the bottle.

The palate is satisfyingly concentrated with fine-grained tannins. However, a refreshing minerality ensures the wine remains tight and focused, with a lasting finish.

Alc 13.5% 750ml