Zinfandel 2005
Rocky Road Zinfandel 2005
Vineyards
Fruit is sourced from the Rocky Road vineyard which lies in the headwaters of the Chapman Brook, near Witchcliffe. With a northerly aspect, the vines enjoy long days of sunshine, moderated by the vineyard's southern location.
The soils are tough laterite gravels in which the zinfandel, a hardy drought tolerant cultivar, thrives. All vines on the McHenry Hohnen vineyards are grown on a single bilateral cordon with a vertically trained canopy. It is a simple and practical format that maximises light penetration and maintains a balanced vine.
Vinification
The family has been involved with zinfandel since the variety was first introduced to the region in 1972. The mother vines were imported from California, originating from a vineyard in Lodi. Judging perfect ripeness is the only difficult winemaking decision due to the uneven ripening of bunches a habit which is peculiar to this variety.
The grapes are fermented in small open-top vats and plunged for colour, flavour and tannin extraction. Towards completion of the primary fermentation the skins are pressed and the wine is run to barrel for finishing and maturation.The wine is bottled in late summer prior to the next vintage.
Tasting Notes by Ray Jordan
An awesome wine of immense proportions from a variety that found a home in Margaret River in the early 70's. The spicy, savoury, chocolaty characters on the nose immediately excite the senses.
The palate more than delivers on that initial promise with its lush, fruity flavours supported with firm ripe tannins and some well weighted oak. It's a big wine delivered with some finesse.
The final smells of floral rose-petal fragrances add a touch
of femininity to an otherwise masculine wine.
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