2023

2023 was a cool year, there will be a lot of rose from round these parts….

But down in Woragee, alt ~350-400m (500-750m Beechworth –>Stanley) we benefited from a few degrees of warmer weather, and the merlot and shiraz were picked mid April.

Chardonfreude chardonnay

Just one barrel here so about 200 bottles. Full malolactic fermentation and the barrel was a neutral French oak. The most supra-homeopathic sulphur addition at bottling, and bottled on site by the sons, with a waxing because it’s fancy. Unfiltered.

Goldhaus Syrah

Picked at 13baume Star lane, this is a very pure expression given Brett used the amazing grape picker robot that means there’s no stems at all. Also, used oak French barriques, slightly newer but I think gives minimal oak taint! 2 barrels.

NQC Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2:1

The not quite claret is a self deprecating, deferential and I guess aspirational nod to that part of France. Merlot somehow got to 13.8B in superb condition. Naked ‘robotty no stems’ but the cab from weeping grass def had a chunk of nicely lignified stem. Elevage both in newish and more seasoned oak 15mo, 2 barrels to one. 3 total.

Le Woogee Dry Village Red MV

A multi vintage bitzer of a wine- some 2022 cabernet s. from Weeping grass, kept in steel, (then added to barrels), with a greener picked shiraz/ (+gewurz 1%) from Bowmans run and shiraz and a splash of merlot from Star Lane; 3 of the 4 vineyards in Wooragee! Initially a fresher vibe with acidity from the Bowmans run fruit, but it’s getting grown up, oddly. 1100 bottles.