Hand picked on 9 April 2021. Destemmed and gently pressed. Fermented in stainless steel and then transferred to seasoned French barriques. The wine completed ferment in oak, resting on full yeast and wine lees. The barrels were stirred, ensuring the lees were suspended in the wine, encouraging richness and lovely yeast complexity.
A delicate floral nose with hints of nectarine leads to a textured palate of spiced honey, wild herbs and grapefruit notes.
Alcohol 13%
Previous vintages
2017
The first planting of roussanne in the Adelaide Hills. Whole-bunch pressed into used French barriques. Spicy acacia honey aromas and a totally unexpected raunchy palate, textured and exciting. Clone? Site? Climate? Points for excitement of the unexpected. 95 points. Halliday Wine Companion 2020
2016
Honeydew melon, orange blossom and a tail of tangy nectarine set this mid-weighted white alight. There is leesy goodness at its core and a whiff of fennel wafting over the mineral finish... 90 points. Halliday Wine Companion 2019
2015
The first example spied of Hills roussanne … stylistically eschews the crunchy acidity of other regional whites for a more unctuous style, honeysuckled in its aromatics with a light honey, thyme and white pepper flavour spectrum. Bring it on. Tony Love, The Advertiser SA Weekend, January 2016.
…robust fruit flavour, with nectarine, honey and a lick of pink grapefruit, while maturing in old French oak has allowed the savoury roundness of the palate to develop.
David Sly, SA Life, April 2016.