Iggy

Intensely aromatic, with typical Eden Valley uplifted scents of dark cherries, currant, violets, and crushed rocks. There is a touch of ‘bouquet garni’- like fragrance enhancing the whole experience on the nose. Dark, ruby red colour, with vibrant hue at the rim suggesting freshness which is undeniably aligned with the characteristics of the season. Bright acidity tends to convince this is a wine that will go the distance easily, with firm tannin structure, depth, and complexity reassuring this. A complex wine that will keep developing its attributes over the years. Decanting recommended.

A short drive out of Eden Valley township towards Keyneton, midway up the hill at around 400m above sea level, amidst ironstone rocks and granite monoliths of various sizes, lies this idyllic, east facing block planted in 1998 by Mick Hearnden(H). When tasting that fruit for the first time it was clear to me that I’m about to get my hands on grapes that will perfectly complement the flavour profile of Ciccocioppo (C) grapes, which have proven in year 2020 to be of great quality. They both share this rugged environment, a shallow loamy soil that varies from gravely to rocky in parts, providing exciting mineral foundations on which aromatics, flavour, and structure of the end wine is built upon.

Picked on 1st and 7th of April respectively with 100% whole-bunch vinification of ‘C’ portion. Why? Because I can, and out of curiosity. But mainly because stalks were perfectly matured despite the cooler season. Rhone Valley inspiration you might wonder. For sure, coupled with impromptu pragmatic decision, I have to add. Due to extremely low quantity of grapes (an unfortunate mis-happening beyond my control), this batch was only plunged twice a day during the entire fermentation, while ‘H’ parcel received a couple of pump-overs at the peak of fermentation as well. Both wines went to seasoned French oak barriques after pressing out and kept separate until blending, and then bottled in February 2024.