Patritti Wines Trincadeira 2015

2015 Trincadeira Barossa Valley
Trincadeira originates in the north of Portugal. Under the synonyms Black Alicante, Black Portugal and Tinta Amarela it was one of the earliest varieties planted in South Australia. Records show William Trimmer had plantings at Laffer’s Triangle vineyard and wine cellar in the Marion district, just a few kilometres from the Patritti winery, in 1862. With an abundance of new varieties and its personality better suited to modern viticulture, the plantings of Trincadeira never reached that of today’s common varieties. Performing best in warmer regions with dry growing conditions, Trincadeira is perfectly suited to the Barossa Valley where it produces wines with vibrant flavours and complexity. With tiny plantings of this variety in Australia, it is likely this is the only example of an Australian dry red single varietal wine.

REGION
With over 160 years of continuous winemaking, the Barossa Valley is one of the best known wine regions in the world. The climate is warm with low rainfall, producing flavourful wines that exhibit both depth and complexity.

VINTAGE
A near perfect growing season led to an exceptional vintage in the Barossa. Winter rains followed by a mild spring and early summer provided ideal conditions for vine flowering and fruit set. January was dry with hot winds threatening to rob the vines of vital moisture, but relief came in the form of rain and persistently cool temperatures for the remainder of the month. The mild weather remained throughout vintage resulting in fruit with high natural acidity, incredible flavour and colour concentration.

VINIFICATION
Harvested at optimal ripeness the fruit was crushed, destemmed and fermented in small batches. Gentle maceration and seven days on skins created the ideal balance of flavour, tannin and colour before pressing. The ferment was allowed to settle before being racked to 50% new, 50% 2-year old French oak 650L Portuguese pipes. After 17 months maturation, the wine was blended then bottled with minimal filtration.

TASTING COMMENTS
Medium brick red with a ruby hue, this wine offers an intriguing bouquet of rose petal potpourri, forest leaves, tobacco, raspberry, marzipan and liquorice. The palate is delicately soft and silky smooth with a medium but fine structure. Intense yet subtle, the complex leaf and spice flavours support delicious raspberries bursting with freshness.