I’ve recently tasted the 2014 wines being prepared for bottling. This is always a bit unsettling when it follows such an exceptional vintage as 2013 (probably topping 2008 as top vintage to date). The autumn ended abruptly, which meant that our late reds did not ripen sufficiently, so no 2014 Shiraz or Romanesque. Luckily yields across the state were low so our 2014 wines have great intensity albeit on mid-weight frames (12.6-13.6% alc.)
We have been using some new St. Martin French oak for maturing the Mattock blend and it was interesting to see the differences between 3 oak forests, at the same toasting level, on the Merlot component. The Fontainebleau stood out as the most spicy and aromatic; The Vosges had a distinct effect on the structure of the wine adding some firm tannins, while the Allier was broad and mellow in comparison.
The current vintage, 2015, looks very promising with the least disease pressure I can remember , even cropping , and early onset of veraison (colouring). We are currently netting the fruit. Although we haven’t had any ‘heatwave’ conditions over summer I think that night temperatures have been above normal through spring and summer. It’s common in Tassie to need an extra layer of clothing after sunset even in summer, but not so much this year. I still will be pleasantly surprised if we can have another great vintage so soon after the 2013. This year we have had two young Italian lads helping us, so the vine canopies have never looked so manicured with hedging, de-suckering ,shoot thinning and leaf plucking.
We have delayed the release of the 2013 Shiraz and Romanesque( which will be a blend of Aglianico, Petit Verdot and Touriga) as they need a little more time to open up, but we will be releasing our newest wine, the 2013 Byzantine, in the next few weeks. This is a very exciting wine being a blend of Chardonnay, Viognier and Malvasia Bianca. This wine will only be available directly from us.
Tasting notes (for Byzantine)
Mid straw in colour, the nose shows fragrant aromas of glace fruits.. lemon, pineapple and peach. The palate is full bodied with peachy fruit, dense texture and a hint of sandalwood aromatics on a long finish.
We are now on Trip Advisor . If you have been to our vineyard, and feel so inclined, we’d appreciate you reviewing us. http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Attraction_Review-g7623011-d7391638-Reviews-Grey_Sands_Vineyard-Glengarry_Tasmania.html
As you may be aware, this is the final season of Open Gardens Australia. Our Autumn opening will be the weekend of 25 & 26 April, 10am to 430pm. Cost is $8 for over 18yo. West Tamar Rotary will be holding a barbecue that you can enjoy with a glass of wine while soaking up the tranquillity of our garden. Autumn colour has already begun to appear so should be ablaze by the open weekend! (Fingers and toes crossed!)
Best regards,
Bob & Rita
