2014 Chalmers Sagrantino

Chalmers

Australia / Heathcote / Chalmers

SAGRANTINO
One of the most tannic varieties in the world, sagrantino is relatively small player in Italy where there are only about 250 hectares of the grape grown in the Montefalco region of Umbria. Despite this it is a highly revered wine with DOCG status since 1992. It has been growing in Australia since 2000 with the first Australian wine made by Chalmers in 2004.
WINEMAKING
100% destemmed and fermented in open fermenters without a yeast addition. Fermentation typically goes for 20 days. The wine is then left on skins for a further 7 to 10 days before pressing into French barriques, 75% old and 25% new. Malolactic fermentation is natural. The wine is bottled without fining and with little or no filtration after about 12-18 months.
TASTING NOTES
The 2014 Sagrantino is from Chalmers' Heathcote vineyard where the vines are growing in a special site close to the top of the ridge in complex, rocky Cambrian earth. The wine is deep and robust with aromas of dark fruits, bitter chocolate, spice and tobacco. These characters are echoed on the generous yet elegant palate, supported by mouthfilling, yet fine-grain tannins and bramble accents.

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About Chalmers

The Chalmers family was justly named 2014 Viticulturist of the Year by Gourmet Traveller WINE. Their commitment to innovation and excellence has made them a pivotal force in the Australian wine scene for more than 20 years. Bruce and Jenni began growing grapes in the 1980s, with their vineyard at Euston developing into one the largest and most diverse privately owned vineyards in the country. Their nursery business was responsible for importing a selection of around 70 new clones and varieties, many of which are now used in the production of Chalmers' Italian variety wines. Since selling the original vineyard in 2008 the family has established two new sites: one in Heathcote, henceforth responsible for all Chalmers wines, and one at Merbein where the family will continue to experiment with new varieties and clones. Very much a family concern, daughters Kim and Tennille are now driving this exciting business forward.

About

Kim studied at the University of Adelaide before joining the family business. She has been director at Chalmers Wines since 2005, managing operations from the vine to the wine list. In 2011 she was awarded an AgriFoods Skills Australia Overseas Fellowship, for which she wrote a paper entitled “Hot climate wine growing, making and marketing in Southern Italy and its application in Australia”. Kim's husband, winemaker Bart van Olphen completed the family team in 2011, a year after sister Tennille joined the business full time following a 10-year career in hospitality, most recently as a sommelier. The Chalmers sisters have been pivotal in turning the Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show into a major event on the wine awards calendar. In 2015 they also spearheaded 21st Century Vino, an initiative to increase awareness and expertise in Italian vine varieties grown in Australia.