Nov
13
2008 Wines
Filed Under Uncategorized
I really think that 2008 is looking like being one of our best vintages. Although it is early days yet, the 2008 wines are really showing excellent varietal character; outstanding colour and flavour, really ripe without being overly so. I reckon that the vines ( and vignerons!) got it right this year, (although perhaps I am trying to take too much credit here…). Anyway, I am pretty excited about these wines. The Tempranillo just looks brilliant, dense and flavourful. The Sangiovese, although not a heavy style, has oodles of flavour - an open barrique fills the winery with smells of wild cherries and the Tuscan countryside (although perhaps I am imagining this!) I think the 08 Shiraz will be our best so far. We did a bigger pick at 13.5 Baume than usual, and then one at 14, and then a couple of barriques of very, very ripe fruit quite late, from the younger block of Shiraz. I am really impressed with the fine tannins, the excellent acid, the flavour and aroma is like someone threw mulberries and blackberries into the vat, and the colour is … just wow. Mad Uncle Jack’s Petit Verdot is very consistent - pretty much the same every year, what a champion this variety is. Big, black, nosey, BIG. And I am pretty happy with the Merlot, which can be a bit variable. This year, at this stage, it is leaning to the fruit rather than anything else, although I reckon there is a hint of herbs in there… interesting to see how it comes out.
The Gamay, you ask? Currently in tank, being a typical revolting teenager. Every year I wonder if it will work out; every year, it does!
We bottled our 08 Marsanne/Viognier earlier this year, so it will be interesting to see what it looks like over summer. And the rose? This year, made from Gamay, with the result that it was a horrible teenager too for a while… then I forgot about it a bit, and found it, tucked away in two older barriques, and it looked very nice… better bottle it!
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