Delatite is a small family run winery that was established in 1982 by Robert and Vivienne Ritchie and now run by their son David. Specialising in cool climate wines, especially white aromatics, it is sited on a picturesque rise overlooking the vineyards toward Mt Buller in North-east Victoria.
As custodians of the land since the late nineteenth century, David and Catherine are committed to sustainable agricultural practices and winemaking with integrity. Since 2001 they have followed Biodynamic practices across all areas of vineyard operations and are applying for organic certification.
The Wine
The Deadman’s Hill vineyard is around 100 metres higher than our main vineyards and has been dry grown for most of its life. It was the first part of the vineyard to be converted to BioDynamics back in 2003 and, as with all our other blocks here, it is pruned and picked by hand. Besides providing grapes for this wine, fruit from Deadman’s Hill is now the base for two new wine styles here –Polly Sparkling Gewurztraminer and the VT Gewurztraminer (a dessert wine).
Normal harvest dates are between mid March and early April and after crushing the must is chilled and then left in the press to cold soak for a few hours. This helps to extract the delightful and enticing flavour and aromas of musk sticks, rose petals, Turkish delight and lychee typical of this grape. Post fermentation, the wine was left on lees in tank for four months to enhance and lengthen the full palate. It’s a floral, spicy wine matched with well balanced acid and can be enjoyed now or cellared with confidence for up to 10-12 years.
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WINERY RATING |
James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion 2013 |
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