Vineyard

The fruit for this wine is sourced from SA125 clone in the House Block at front of the cellar door and the G9V3 component comes from the mid-slopes of the Maurice vineyard between the Pinot Noir and the Merlot Noir. This gives us two different aspects and two different clones with which to play, and as you all know, we like playing. The soils are slightly different with the SA125 planted over deeper red friable clay loams and the G9V3 on better drained gravely Easterly traprocks and limestone lenses. The G9V3 seems to add high fruit notes to the structure colour and presence of the SA 125 clone. It all adds interest to this wine which will continue to surprise for many years as it matures in your cellar.

Vintage Conditions

The Weather At Bloodwood is always the same; It's Different!

Winter and Spring Rainfall for the growing season leading up to vintage 2019 were around the median with 149 mm for the months of June, July and August and 208 mm for the calendar spring months. There was no run-off into irrigation storages and the long-term drying trend continues. After record heat in January 2019, the run-up to and through harvest was extraordinarily dry and stable. Between 1/2/2019 and 17/3/2019 we only recorded 3.8 mm of rain with temperatures 0.9C warmer than the same period for 2018.

Quality of each vintage is often determined by the stability of the ripening months, so 2019 holds above average promise for us here at Bloodwood even though yields were well down around 30% on a normal year. This is closely related to the continuing and intensifying drought we are all suffering and we give thanks for our limited access to irrigation.

It is interesting that pH and acid levels were all over the shop. Some wines analysed with higher than normal pH levels and lower than usual total acidities if moisture during ripening was an issue. Fermentation, particularly for reds was generally short and sharp without effective temperature control. Early indications are that reds are more than good. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Shiraz and Pinot Noir are all good. Chardonnay quality is a bit patchy because of the extreme heat and dryness although Riesling seems to have coped pretty well with the warmth. Winemaking skill in vintage 2019 was more important than usual.

Winemaking

As I’ve outlined elsewhere, we believe in macro oxygenation during the early fermentation process and extended cold soaking on skins here at Bloodwood. And this wine is no exception. The home vineyard fruit was hand plunged with plenty of air in an open fermenter, whilst the G9V3 vineyard in the Maurice block was treated in the usual manner. A high proportion of whole berries are a constant in all our red ferments, and regular splash pumping-over helps bring the tannins into shape early in the wine making process. The wine spent 28 months in a mix of 10% new and the balance older French oak hogsheads followed by 6 months in stainless before sterile filtration and bottling in September 2021.

Wine Analysis

pH 3.52

Acidity 5.8 g/l

Alc/Vol 13.5%

Price $480

Tasting Notes

Dense brooding ruby in colour, the inviting bouquet of ripe cherry and dusty chocolate infused violets leads into a long, succulent palate of black berry fruits caressed in soft vanillin oak char. The overall feel and balance of the wine supported by graceful and integrated French oak tannins ensures a rewarding medium term future in your cellar.