We had terrific winter and spring rains leading up to vintage 2017, a marked contrast to the previous year, proving once again if proof were needed, that every vintage is different. We had a cool early part to spring too, combined with the spring rain. Flowering was about 3 weeks later than the previous year which of course meant that vintage was 3 weeks later than normal, or as some old locals said sagely, back to the old normal. There was a very long and slow ripening period which is terrific for allowing grapes to develop their flavours. We had a pretty dry February March and April, once the spring rains finished in mid-January. Overall a late vintage with some incredibly promising reds.

We have made this wine in pretty much the same way we have made previous vintages! This makes us sound like we have no imagination whatsoever.  We pick when the grapes (and pips and tannins) are ripe, before crushing and fermenting in open tanks. The grapes are then transferred into oak barrels to finish ferment, with some racking and returning (pumping the wine out of the barrel and then back in) before maturing in the oak cask and then bottling. We use mainly older oak, with some new French hogsheads (300L) as well. We blend back a small Cabernet component from the White Boar (the grapes were cordon cut and vine dried) prior to bottling. I think the key to this wine IS not using one’s imagination – why change things when they are going so well? Keep the course steady, captain!

• The Real Wine Review (Huon Hooke)

  Plenty of deep, dark-fruited aromatics with this wine, there is also a bit of dark olive and sage action as well. There's a generosity on the palate, dark plummy fruit, mulberry and spice with a savouriness and firmness of tannin that gives the wine structure and purpose. This isn't an overtly complex wine, what it delivers is generosity of flavour balanced out with granular, savoury tannin

  92/100

• 2019
• 2018
• 2017
• 2016
• 2015
• 2014
• 2013
• 2012
• 2011
• 2010
• 2009
• 2008
• 2007
• 2006
• 2005
• 2004
• 2003
• 2002
• 2001