Willoughby Bridge Vineyard, Colbinabbin, Heathcote G.I
Gorgeous, perfumed and savoury Rosé worthy of springtime cooking.
Pale amber, like the sap that collects on the bark of a wattle tree, only more dilute. Very savoury yet glossy bouquet; lifted dried roses and orange rind, quince, fresh strawberries, clover and nutmeg combine. The palate shows a lovely weight approaching medium, there’s blood-orange, savoury apricot, fresh cranberry, mint, star anise. The wine is silky in the mouth, complex and moreish. Super, super enjoyable.
Vineyard
A-W Block at Willoughby Bridge vineyard in Colbinabbin, planted in 1998 by Steve Travers, who lives on-site and still farms it. CVT 230 Clone. N/S Orientation. A special block of grapes we have worked with since 2016, and one that I feel is at its best as a mature Rosé.
Winemaking
We make quite a lot of Colbinabbin Nebbiolo Rosé each year, largely from the older planting at Willoughby Bridge Vineyard. The wines are direct pressed to barrel and almost always make their way to the light Nebbiolo-based reds. By early winter, these rosé barrels are often some of my very favourite wines in the cellar. Last year, I decided to keep aside three barrels that I felt had particular depth and deliciousness. The wines were kept on full lees until early summer, racked only once with a small sulphur addition, then kept under cork for a further eight months prior to release.
