Vincenzo’s Old Vines

2006 Mourvedre’/ Shiraz

This is the third release under the Silver Wings label from fruit sourced from the late Vincenzo Conte’s old block in the Shepparton area of Central Victoria.  The vineyard consists of plantings from the early nineteen sixties approx. 60% Mourvedre and the balance Shiraz and the gnarled, fully mature vines show a natural suitability to the rugged soils and warm climate. This deep and earthy wine from extended skin contact and oak maturation, shows the benefits of blending both varieties as done in Southern France and the Rhone Valley. It offers spicy rich fruit overlaying deep tannic complexities, which will develop and improve for many years to come.

 The Wine:-

Harvest:         Yield: 20hl/ hectare (1.4t/ acre)

Shiraz:              Crushed 9^th. March 2006, pressed off skins on 20/ 03/ 06 and racked to a mix of 2 y.o. American and new French oak Hogs Heads.

Mourvedre:      Crushed 25^th March 2006, most pressed off skins 09/ 04/ 06 with extended skin contact for the remainder, racked to mainly new French & Hungarian oak barriques and Hogs Heads until racking and blending with the Shiraz on 30/12/07. Total time in oak 25 months.

Minimal filtration and bottling with DIAM seals on 17 / 05 / 08.

                        Analysis:- Alc.14 % vol., pH 3.48, T/a 7.1 g/lt.

Colour:            Deep burgundy with crimson edges.

Bouquet:         Vibrant red berry, bramble and hints of aniseed mix with fine tannins under-pinned with elegant oak characters and earthy complexities.

Palate:            Concentrated berry fruits with hints of aniseed are mixed with an earthiness that compliments the brooding fruit. This tightly structured wine gives a concentration of mouth filling, spicy fruit characters which are balanced by fine drying tannins in the European tradition, creating an excellent length of finish. A great food wine now this is destined to improve for many years if cellared correctly.                

Winemaker:   Keith Brien

Varietal Information:-

Mourvedre.

Native to Spain where it is known as Monastrell, it was planted in Provence and the Rhone area of France in the middle ages. During the 19^th C Phyloxera devastated the major plantings and suitable rootstocks for the variety were only developed after W.W.2. Since that time the variety has regained some of it’s prior prominence and is a major component of many Rhone, Provence and Spanish red wines.

With age a 'crust' will form, so careful decanting is recommended before serving.