2017 Maddens Rise Cinq Amis

Estate grown, hand-picked and hand-made.

This wine was produced from fruit sourced solely from our ‘97 Block’ and comprises Cabernet Franc (36%), Cabernet Sauvignon (31%), Petit Verdot (13%), Merlot (13%) and Malbec (7%). The grapes were hand-picked then hand-selected over a sorting table prior to destemming, crushing and direct tipping of whole berries to open fermenters. Varieties picked on the same day were co-fermented. The fruit was ambient soaked prior to initiation of wild fermentation. A combination of foot and hand plunging a maximum of once daily was undertaken for optimum gentle extraction, integration and layering of tannins in the wine. Post-fermentation, all batches were combined into a single vat for further skin contact and integration. After an additional five days on skins, the wine was pressed, settled overnight and racked to barrel for 100% malolactic fermentation in oak. The wine was racked once during maturation to gain texture from light lees contact and maintain freshness.

This delicious blend is juicy and full flavoured, yet has subtlety. We find boysenberry, plum, sandalwood, mace and tarragon on the nose. On the palate, there are blackberry and red liquorice notes. Cabernet Franc shows its character with plums and an earthy rusticity to the fine wash of slow building dusty tannins.