Mount Horrocks, Nero d'Avola Single Bottle
Country: Australia Region: South Australia Vintage: 2021
Category: Red Wine Color: Red
Producer: Mount Horrocks
"Mount Horrocks is owned by winemaker Stephanie Toole, who restricts production to approximately 4000 cases per year in order to achieve her aims of quality and single vineyard expression. The Clare Valley winery was established in 1980 and purchased by Stephanie in 1993, since when she has made significant improvements to the wines, vineyards and winery. In 2014, the winery and vineyards were organically certified by the ACO (Australian Certified Organic).
Stephanie describes her wines as 'hand made food wines' with an emphasis on structure as well as generous fruit flavours. All grapes are estate grown and hand picked from three separate organically managed vineyards: Auburn vineyard for the 'Cordon Cut'; Watervale vineyard for the Riesling, Semillon and Shiraz; and Polish Hill River vineyard for the Cabernet Sauvignon, totaling nearly 10 hectares in the Clare Valley. Her persistence with classic, no-compromise winemaking and a fully integrated organic approach to growing sets Mount Horrocks wines apart from the mainstream.
Each release from Stephanie seems to eclipse the quality standard set by the previous vintage. The Watervale Riesling is a regional classic, while the 'Cordon Cut' Riesling ranks among Australia's best sweet wines. Stephanie's Shiraz gets better every year. Stephanie decided to make a Nero d'Avola after falling for the variety on a trip to Italy. Hand picked at full ripeness, it is a wine that is bright and lively, medium weight and bursting with muscular fruit."
Product Features: Vegetarian
Winemaker: Stephanie Toole
Vineyards:
The Mount Horrocks Nero d'Avola was produced from low yielding vines planted in 2007 on their estate owned single vineyard in Watervale, Clare Valley, which has a northerly aspect. Soils are red clay over limestone and the vines are VSP trained.
Vinification:
The fruit was hand picked and fermented to dryness on skins to improve structure, in red wine fermenters and pumped over five times a day with maximum temperatures reaching 28-30°C. It was racked into barriques and aged for 18 months in French oak, 30% of which was new.
Tasting Notes:
Bright cherry red. Juicy and perfumed, the nose is heady and lightly floral. With generous forest fruits, prune and a hint of spice, the taste is rounded, with Nero d'Avola's trademark fresh acidity and smooth tannins. Tantalisingly drinkable, this is a very appealing modern take on a classic Italian varietal.
Food Suggestion: Great with grilled steak, roast game and warm salads of roast vegetables.
Closure: Stelvin ABV:13.5% Acidity [g/l]: 7
