2021 Durif

Technical Details

Harvest Date 25 March 2021 | Alcohol 14.2%

Wine Maker

Ben Dahlenburg
Eldorado Road.

Maturation

Matured in 33% new and 66% 2yr – 5yr old seasoned French hogsheads for 18 months prior to blending and bottling.

Background

The Durif was the first variety planted in 2000 at Mt Pilot Estate. It was planted on one root stock Swartzman. The drought of 2005 – 2009 reduced the planting to such a small number that survived so we pulled out the block as being unviable. In 2017, we grafted over 1 Ha of shiraz on Poulson rootstock to Durif the Rutherglen clone. The yields are very light and with the vines cropping at 2000kg / Ha. They are spur pruned with the west side of the canopy left to sprawl and the east side lifted with wires to let the morning sun in.

Vintage

After a cool and dry winter, budburst was later in North East Victoria than in previous years. With a mild and dry October and November flowering took place a little later than normal. The cool weather persisted During December, the season remained cool with no registered days over 40 Degrees unlike the previous vintage. The cool weather and rainfall continued to the end of vintage with very little supplementary irrigation occurring. The cool end to the vintage stretched out harvest by ~2 weeks allowing for good natural fruit flavour and intensity. Yields were generally 2500 kg to the HA back to our long term average.

Wine Description

After being handpicked the small berries were chilled when the hit the winery with a cool ferment taking 12 days.. The resulting Durif has a vibrant burgundy colour with length and flavour. It has a medium bodied palate with length, ripe fruit sweetness, and silky soft tannins. It is recommended to be served with red meat such as lamb shoulder, pork, game bird or lamb loin chops.

Cellaring Potential

A very good vintage to 2030 some cellaring will be rewarded.