A.T Richardson Hard Hill Road Durif 750mL

Description

Winemaker Adam Richardson selected the very special terroir of the Hard Hill Road Vineyard to call home and craft the A.T. Richardson brand (ATR Wines). He purchased the property in 2005 and spent the next 10 years improving the vineyards and planting more vines and new varieties - including Durif, Nebbiolo and Tannat. Durif (also known as Petite Sirah) is a varietal that is often synonymous with the Rutherglen region in north-east Victoria which put the varietal on the map here in Australia. Durif has thick-skinned, black grapes that can produce majestic wines of depth and character. With his many years of experience with this variety in America, Adam is one of the few winemakers who dare to plant Durif in cooler climates. "The palate is beautifully plush and supple. It is moreish, opulent and generous." Toni Paterson MW "Grown on our Hard Hill Road vineyard in Great Western, these Durif grapes were hand-picked and fermented in small batches. We employed low-intervention winemaking techniques including some whole bunch fermentation, hand plunging and extended maceration. After about three weeks on skins, the wine is gently pressed before being aged in 500L American puncheons for 18 months. The initial impression of this Durif is a tight and compact structure that holds a myriad of aromatic flavours close to its heart. However, with time in the glass, the wine readily unwinds to display a warm, generous and aromatic character. Primary flavours of cassis, blueberries, anise and the wonderfully floral elements of violets and rose petals float from the glass. The tannins are rich and evolve into the late palate providing a long, lively finish. This Hard Hill Road wine is built to last. Although it already presents a seamless balance of fruit depth and tannin, it will continue to entwine all aspects of its personality and gain further complexity with decades of cellar time."