Hand-picked fruit, pressed to barrel for wild-yeast ferment; matured 7 months in (30% new) Austrian oak. Not an easy wine to pin down. Is it the Austrian oak? Like previous releases it is complex, firm in structure and carries its maritime credentials proudly, with an intriguing sea-spray quality. Lemon rind, grapefruit, rock pool, green apple and melon introduce the wine, the citrus theme running through to the lemony, brisk acidity that fully wakens the tastebuds. It's just stirring to life and most assuredly, it's a keeper.
95 points, Wine Companion (January 2022)
Victoria’s first commercial wine was produced in Geelong by Swiss immigrants in 1845. During the mid- 1800’s Geelong was the largest grape-growing region in Victoria with 400 hectares under vine. When phylloxera struck in the 1870s however, the vines were decimated and it was not until the late 1960’s that the area’s vineyards were re-established. Located about 80 km southwest of Melbourne, Geelong has a cool maritime climate with low rainfall and prevalent cool blustery winds that affect flowering and Franceuit set. Soils are diverse, mostly volcanic over limestone with some lesser quality black soils. The region is dotted primarily with family owned wineries producing small quantities of high quality Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Shiraz & Cabernet Sauvignon.
