2011 Rose
Dragon Fly - 2011 Rose
Blend:
40% Tempranillo, 35% Merlot, 15% Sangiovese, 10% Sauv Blanc
Region:
Willow Bridge Estate, Geographe, WA
Bottled:
July 2011
Release Date:
September 2011
Technical Data:
- Alcohol 13.0%vol
- Total Acidity 5.9gm/lt
- pH 3.17
- Residual Sugar 4.0gm/lt
Winemaker:
Simon Burnell and Jane Dunkley
Winemakers Notes:
~ Style ~
Vibrant and refreshing. Sweet from fresh berry fruits (not sugar!) - yet with a hint of sophistication.
~Background~
Rosé is made from many different red varieties and into many different styles worldwide. Reserved, pale salmon or even copper-coloured styles similar to those from Provence and other southern French regions have become quite fashionable in recent years. At Willow Bridge we like our rosé to be chock-full of red berry fruits and simply aren't that cool so still want ours to have a colour which reflects this - making it almost as exciting to look at as it is to drink. Of the red varieties we grow in Geographe, we believe that Tempranillo (for complexity) and Merlot (for juiciness) are the best suited to achieve the style we are aiming for. After crushing, the chilled juice was kept in contact with the skins for up to 24 hours to achieve the desired colour before being drained off skins. The different varieties were blended to style as clarified juice and then cool fermented in tank to preserve the fresh-fruit purity and allowed three months on yeast lees to build texture before bottling in July.
Vineyards: The Tempranillo ("Raquena" clone) came from a long-term contract grower in Donnybrook, the Merlot from our 'Blinman' Merlot block on the estate. Both were planted in 1998 on classic freedraining WA "Marri soil" (a deep layer of ironstone gravely loam over red and yellow friable clays) with flat to gentle westerly aspects. A small amount of Sangiovese was sourced from a grower on the heavier loams on the plain at Harvey. All blocks were spur-pruned and vertically trellised (VSP).
Appearance: Fluorescent pink.
Nose: A sweet and perfumed mix of lavender and Turkish delight, but with a hint of wintery seaspray in the background.
Palate: A fresh mix of forest berries and cream to start. Bright, glazed cherry notes are expected from the vivid colour, but the sub-plot of mushrooms and earthiness speaks more of the varietal makeup. A twist of cooling acidity and some super-fine tannins balance the juicy sweetness on the finish leaving the palate ready for more.
Cellaring: We like to drink it young and fresh - within 2 years of vintage, but hey - if you like more savoury styles, please cellar it for a few.
Food pairing: Greek Tomato Fritters with Herb and Garlic Sauce.
