Dear //FirstName//
As the saying goes "pressure makes diamonds" and vintage 2014 certainly wasn't without its challenges! The preceding Spring saw everything from above average daytime and below average nighttime temperatures, below average rainfall, winds that affected fruit set and unseasonal frost events. The picking season itself was like a tale of two vintages. Warm conditions saw vintage start at a cracking pace with reds being picked in the first week of February. Then, around mid-February a large rain event saw a seasonal change that slowed the rest of the vintage down to an almost leisurely pace!
The result of all this? Generally lower than average crops but plenty of flavour and acid. This was particularly the case with the Orphan Bank, Freedom and Pure Eden Shiraz. Though young to the bottle these reds are rich in colour, show classic varietal characteristics and will age well.
If you would like to judge for yourself these Old Vine Garden wines will be on limited tasting in Cellar Door for the month of November. As we have a particularly small amount of Freedom and Pure Eden, we won't be showing it to everyone so if you do visit be sure to mention this email inviting you to taste!
If you can't get here you can always call me or place an order on-line keeping in mind that the Freedom will probably be gone early in the new year. (Please note Zealous Club members will receive the Freedom in their summer instalment!).
From a personal perspective I can assure you that the Orphan Bank is already looking particularly good!
Kind regards as always
Jonathan Bitter
Cellar Door Manager
