Tempranillo Touriga 2014

Tempranillo and Touriga Nacional are indigenous to the Iberian Peninsula and are the most famous red grape varieties of Spain and Portugal respectively. Tempranillo is also grown in Portugal where it is known as Tinta Roriz and traditionally blended with Touriga Nacional and other indigenous varieties to make both dry red table wines and port. Their climatic suitability to our South Australian wine growing regions, generally means that they thrive in our warm climate with fewer inputs in the vineyard, resulting in increased sustainability and wines with great natural balance, complexity and flavour. Touriga Nacional is new to many Australian wine drinkers and produces lusty, powerful, medium bodied red wines with pungent fruit characteristics of fruit mince or plum pudding, nutmeg spice and floral notes. It blends well with the luscious juicy blackberry, plum, earth and cocoa that is Tempranillo. The Portuguese variety, Tinta Cão has also been added to the 2014 blend. This gives more spice and backbone. Tinta Cão provides an elegant floral and fruity taste.

THE VINTAGE The 2014 Tempranillo Touriga is the best we have ever made. It was a dry and warm vintage for McLaren Vale ideal for Iberian varieties. Barossa Valley experienced lower than average temperatures early on but warmer weather kicked in around February, which accelerated the ripening process. It will be remembered as one of the shortest and fastest in years. Both regions experienced a good winter with wetter than normal conditions especially in Mclaren Vale and good early rains which filed the soils in.

WINEMAKING

Variety 46% Tempranillo 42% Touriga 12% Tinta Cão Varietal Origin Spain and Portugal Vineyard McLaren Vale and Barossa Valley Process Hand-harvested, crushed, and traditionally vinified in small open- top fermenters. 7 months in 500 litre mature 5-6 year old French oak puncheons with 20% in new oak. Alcohol 14%

FOR THE SENSES Flavour Profile Abundant Tempranillo black fruits, plums, cocoa and wet earth overlaid with Touriga National’s pungent fruit mince, jasmine scented florals and nutmeg/cinnamon spices. The intense and tightly intertwined flavours are primarily of fresh blackberries with plum pudding and panforte. The complex spice profile includes hints of clove, nutmeg and cinnamon.

Structure & Juicy, luscious and silky. It is a rich flavoursome, medium-full Texture bodied wine. The palate is long and consistent with integrated tannins that provide for a balanced finish, and a synergy with food.

CELLARING Part of the allure of this wine is its power and youthful exuberance, best enjoyed over the next five years whilst it’s fresh and alive.

SERVING Being a young juicy medium bodied wine it would be ideal for a wide range of dishes. Ideally enjoy alongside Tapas and especially jamon, salami, stuffed olives, roasted peppers or a terrine.