Description

(95%/5%) Viticulture: Lutte raisonee/sustainable, no synthetic fungicides or herbicides. The Greytown Vineyard was planted in the northeastern corner of the (now) Heathcote region in the 1950s by European migrants, importantly planting was carried out in the traditional manner, sans irrigation and as a field blend. In this case Syrah vines interspersed with an unknown proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon. The aim being to harvest the site as a whole, capturing a more nuanced expression of place and season. Amongst the oldest plantings in the area the vines have found a happy home in the deep alluvial soils. Stylistically inspired by the Syrah-Cabernet blends of the South of France, especially one of my favourite wines – Domaine Trevallon. Once hand harvested the fruit was entirely de-stemmed, then partially foot crushed before transfer to open fermenters where it remained for three weeks. The must was allowed to soak until natural fermentation commenced and was then extracted with a combination pumping over, delestage and pigeage before basket pressing. Elevage took place in a combination of one year old Stockinger thick staved 600l (30%), Spanish stoneware jars and seasoned thin staved Bordeaux coopered barriques for 12 months, before four months in stainless steal after assemblage. The only addition to the wine is a small dose of sulphur. Glistening purple, the two varieties combine wonderfully lending the pepper, spice and plushness of Syrahs fruit, with the strictness and refinement of Cabernet Sauvignon. Aromas of cracked black pepper, sweet new leather, baking spices, lavender, thyme, and a sprig of mint fill the glass. Australian garrigue. Sweet and fleshy black cherry fruits are ensconced in layers of fine pliant tannin, with the firm backbone and sense of freshness and refinement only Cabernet Sauvignon can bring. A wine entirely unique to its place and landscape, old vines, co-planted with great foresight in a cooler pocket of the region. Please decant well prior to drinking, or cellar for as long as you like. Shortlisted – Best New Winery of the Year Halliday Wine Companion Awards 2024 Gourmet Traveller Wine – Young Winemaker of the Year Gourmet Traveller 2020 “One of Australia’s brightest young winemakers.” Mike Bennie, Voyeur Magazine, May 2018 “Joshua Cooper is one of Australia’s brightest young stars” Nick Stock, jamessuckling.com 2020 “Gary Farr (By Farr), Joshua Cooper and Robert Walters (Place of Changing Winds) should be changing perceptions of Australian wine. These are in many cases delicate, elegant, refined wines that deliver classic varietal expression and defy old stereotypes.” Joe Czerwinski, robertparker.com 2021 “…Using grapes bought in from carefully chosen, non mainstream sources…However difficult the bottles may be to get into, their contents are pretty impressive.” Jancis Robinson, The Cool Macedon Ranges with Max, April 2018 “Such a talent, he could choose anywhere to make wine yet Macedon Ranges is home.” Jane Faulkner Wine Companion June 2023