Meerea Park
Winemaker, Rhys Eather is a Roseworthy (Adelaide University) graduate in Wine Science and has gained international winemaking experience in France and Italy. Spending the 1998 vintage at M. Chapoutier in the Rhone Valley gave Rhys the experience and insight required to craft top quality Rhone styled wines, which he openly admits as to having a great passion for. Rhys has also completed two vintages in Italy (Puglia and Piedmonte) rounding out his international winemaking experience.
Meerea Park, while taking a modern approach to winemaking, can trace their winemaking roots in the Hunter Valley back to the 1850's when Alexander Munro, the great-great-grandfather established the 'Bebeah' vineyard at Singleton and was at one stage the largest and most successful winemaker in New South Wales. During his winemaking career he amassed over 2000 awards at wine shows around the world.
Region: Hunter Valley
Background: This wine is named after three pioneer women of the Hunter Valley, who established the initial homestead on Meerea in the 1830's. The three women were referred to by the family as the Aunts. The establishment of the homestead coincided with the planting of the first Shiraz in the Hunter Valley.
Fruit source: This single vineyard wine is made from fruit off the low yielding, old-vine Kindred family Homestead vineyard in Pokolbin, the block used for The Auntsâ were planted in 1965.
Fermentation: The fruit was fermented in open vats and then transferred into 100% French Hogsheads for the first time since The Aunts was released. 35% of the oak was new.
Maturation: After 20 months, with regular racking, the wine was bottled under screwcap.
Tasting note
A deep dark crimson colour in the glass; the nose has deep fruit aromas and plum overtones. The French oak spiciness balances the lovely fruit. The palate is medium weight with rich berry fruit power, well integrated tannins and good length of flavour.
Cellaring: Medium to long term.
Suggested food match: Lamb and Veal meat dishes.
WINERY RATING |
James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion 2015 |
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