‘This does a good job of interesting Nero. Sweet and slippery cherry juice characters, as expected, but with a lift of alpine herbs, white pepper, rosé vermouth characters, some light game meat and inky liquorice notes too. Pure, fresh, bright. Good stuff! 93 points.’ Mike Bennie, The Wine Front

Vineyard - The Chalmers Heathcote Vineyard is an east facing sloped site comprised of the famous red Cambrian soils of the area. The lower vineyard from whence came this fruit, is deep red clay-loam. Chalmers aim to follow organic farming principles where possible and are transparent in their communication when it is not. The Sagrantino was sourced from Chalmers Merbein. Chalmers are fully certified at both of their Victorian vineyards with Sustainable Winegrowing Australia.

Winemaking - This year I got access to grapes from the ‘Top Block’ (literally the highest block). It’s also top notch fruit and there’s terrific brightness and perfume. About a quarter of the fruit was layered as whole bunches on the bottom of the ferementers and the rest was gently destemmed over the top. Wild yeast fermented for 13 days. Pressed to old, neutral French oak for 10 months maturation. Unfiltered, unfined. No adds apart from sulphur. Vegan friendly.