The 2023 Vintage.
The 2023 vintage at Colbinabbin had its challenges with rain early on but cleared up for a fabulous warm sunny run in to harvest. The region as a whole had fabulous weather after a somewhat chaotic spring. Yields were normal with fine acidity and excellent colour and phenolic ripeness. Ripening was very consistent and made picking a calm affair. Cold soaked, this fruit came in at pitch perfect ripeness and pH levels after maceration sat in the sweet 3.55 level.
Winemaking & Grape growing : Geoff Plahn and Steve Flamsteed, led by Colin Neate in the vineyard
Vinification.
Yields: 2 tonnes per acre
100% destemmed
100% wild yeast fermentation
Natural malolactic fermentation in barrel
12 months in French oak, 20% new oak
The ‘Uncle Fred‘ is a Paramoor favourite, 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Picked at 13.5 Baume, wild yeast fermented in open pots. After an extended period on skins, the wine was pressed to a mixture of French barriques for malo, mainly first and second use. Alc. 14%
“Coming from the northern reaches of Heathcote, ‘Uncle Fred’ is a lovely drop which shows what’s capable with other red grapes in the region. There’s a richness to the nose which follows through to the palate, with deep blackcurrant in colour, aroma and flavour. Raspberry rounds out the fruit portion, while olive, tomato leaf and some earthiness make up the savoury, and there’s a touch of cedary oak. It’s a great wine to have with food, especially something rich and spicy, and with some time in the glass it gets even silkier and juicy.” 93 Brendan Black