November 2020 RELEASES

This month we visit the high country of the Macedon Ranges in central Victoria, where we found some outstanding wines on our tour of the region in March 2019.
The Macedon Ranges is regarded as the coolest wine growing region on mainland Australia. The Macedon Ranges are unlike any other wine growing region we have visited, and is characterised by incredibly rugged granite outcrops, and heaps of Kangaroos. It is tough country, and the vignerons & winemakers here are resilient, just like the granite rock of the region. The wines however express a wonderful softness and delicacy that you wouldn't expect from such a challenging climate.
We hope you enjoy these wines as much as we do, and as much as we enjoyed our adventure in the Macedon Ranges to find them for you.
Cheers Patrick

Cobaw Ridge Pinot Noir 2016 $55

Cobaw Ridge Vineyard was established by owners Alan & Nelly Cooper. The first vines were planted during 1985, in granitic sandy soil. The vineyard is situated on the warmer north facing slopes of the Great Dividing Range, 610 metres above sea level at East Pastoria in the Macedon Ranges, of Victoria.

The 2016 Cobaw Ridge Pinot Noir is reflective of Alan & Nelly's winemaking philosophy where low cropped mature vines are utilized. Fruit  is treated with respect, soft destemming, and membrane pressed, so to ensure full ripe tannins not harsh extractive or over worked. Hand plunged to softly extract maximum colour and flavours. Small open fermenters used to gain maximum complexity between vats.

The wine is allowed to go through full natural malolactic fermentation in oak the summer following vintage, which produces a fuller softer effect. All wine matures in barriques for 12 to 24 months, with the introduction of 25 to 30% new barriques each year. Not too much new oak so as to let terrior speak and not the barrel.

With minimal handling pre bottling all the red wine is neither fined nor filtered prior to bottling. No acid additions are required, just low levels of sulphur dioxide at point of bottling. Nothing added, nothing taken away. Everything is done so as to promote and preserve the full integrity of our unique vineyards terrior.

The 2016 Pinot Noir has a bright cherry red colour, and is not fined or filtered, so the wine exhibits a distinct textural element which we love. Let's call it liquid velvet. There are aromas of ripe strawberries and freshly shaved pencil, leading into a palate that has a unique plushness due to the beautifully judged tannin structure. Rich red fruit flavours and trademark Macedon Ranges acidity round out the finish.