Growing Conditions

The defining weather event in the 2019 vintage report was the frost on October which caused a 60% yield reduction in our chardonnay, due to timing and chardonnay being and early variety to go through budburst.
The weather conditions were relatively kind during the growing season although cooler, and harvest was short and sweet. This couldn’t have been better, as rains fell heavily shortly after harvest finished at Cullen’s. We are very excited about the quality of wines from the 2019 harvest, typical of low a low yield year. Because of the cooler conditions there was no food for the birds and nets were being taken off almost as we were harvesting to prevent damage. If you didn’t have nets there was no harvest as the birds were starving. A low year for honey also as no blossom on the gum trees and cooler conditions.

Harvest

Cabernet Sauvignon: 27th February – 3rd April on fruit and flower days, including a pick on the 20th March being a fruit day trine and the Indian Day of Colour. Merlot: 1st April, flower day

Winemaking

100% matured in French oak for an average of 5 months, 23% of which were new.

Nose

Beautifully ripe with currants, plums and minerals

Palate

Lovely fruit concentration with fine tannins. Ripe plums, cassis and dark chocolate showing throughout the finish

Appearance

Deep medium red with a purple edge