This is exciting on two fronts: First, as a considered response to the fresh, juicy red style the drinker is rapidly swinging towards. Second, because it marks a significant point in time for our vineyard, seven years in the planning. This wine is an equal-parts blend of Grenache, Gamay and Cab Franc. Grenache and Gamay are relatively new arrivals for us, and both could be as significant as Pinot Noir in our future. The wine's characteristics show why we planted them post-phylloxera and in a warming climate. This is bright but savoury, and maintains our house style on an increasingly volatile planet.
Gamay and Cab Franc play together as you’d expect, the young vine Grenache surprised us with its ability to bring seriousness and edge, particularly to the tannin profile.
The winemaking is Punt Road 101: Canopies maintained to promote vine and fruit vigour; grapes picked on the cusp of ripeness; 100% whole-bunch ferments in one-tonne open pots; pressed to old puncheons to rest on lees for four months. There was a small SO2 addition the day before it hit the bottle (40ppm). No finings, coarse filtration. - Tim Shand, Punt Road