I haven’t verified the Oak treatment with Mark, Nick or Caitlin however this blend usually undergoes the Oak treatment listed above or similar.
Young, vibrant, bright and reflective in the glass, quite dark in the deeper wells with meniscal radiances ranging from purple, red rose and deep pink.
This is a young Waagee and needs considerable time to breathe I recommend decanting for at least an hour. and even then swirling vigorously in the glass for awhile. There is some cedary oak on the bouquet combined with spices, black and red fruits, herbs, earth and a little cigar box.
Cassis leads the palate followed by an immediate influential presence of very sour cherries which are almost a little piquant, the flavours are then enveloped in blackberry conjoined with a little raspberry, pepper imbibed in a slightly salty liquorice adds another dimensional complexity, some herbs perhaps sage spiked with black pepper and a little bergamot precede a mineral earthy aspect which leads into a tannic finish which is very fine and gravelly with some mouth and especially upper middle to front tongue drying. The dominant taste experience is savoury and sour, the acid is refreshing with supportive oak. Certainly the wine is young and has years of development in front of it, the balance and structure suggests a long cellaring life, drink this wine now with respect and a long breathing window or let it sleep for 10 to 15 years.
There are potentially two sad factors involved with this wine:
1. This will be the last Waagee made with fruit from Rosemary Hill Vineyard.
2. This may be the last Waagee made but that’s yet to be decided.
Tasted: Saturday 27th May, 2022 without food and then with over several hours.
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Price: $72
Suggested Drinking Window: 2024 – 2040
Winemaker: Mark Ravenscroft, Nick Roberts, Caitlin Hawkes Roberts
Fruit Source: Rosemary Hill Vineyard
Oak: New French for 20 Months
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