About Winemaker: The Mount Benson Estate wines are produced in limited quantities using grapes grown on the Grapes By The Sea vineyard or nearby vineyards. Our vineyard is the oldest in Mount Benson,  just 2 km from the ocean, it combines the deep Terra Rosa soils underlain by limestone of an earlier seafloor with the gentle sea breezes that moderate summer temperature extremes. Our wines are handmade with minimal intervention using traditional methods by winemakers local to the Mount Benson Wine Region. Almost all of our wines are single-vineyard and vegan-friendly.

Harvest & Cellar Notes: In 2019 we did more of a saignee with our reds, that first free-run juice was fermented separately and combined at the end. Around 56 hours of skin contact. 1000 liters made with more for future years. The Syrah for our cane pruned Syrah Block 10 and Cabernet from Block 5. The ratio was more perchance but it worked very well and the two wines complemented each other in the blend.

2020 Halliday 90 Points – 55% Shiraz and 45% cabernet sauvignon, vinified separately, resting in picking bins before fermentation, thus creating the full, bright crimson-purple hue. The bouquet and palate are pure cherry sarsaparilla, the potential for excess weight dealt with by the wine’s crisp acidity. JH 13.6% alc.

Tasting Notes: The luscious ruby hue opens on the palette showing off the rich heritage of Mount Benson’s premium Red Grapes and delivering an uncommon generosity of fresh fruit flavors with cherry and raspberry predominating. Serve chilled with a broad range of canapes, smoked salmon, meat and cheese platters, or pizza.

Additional info: The bouquet and palate are pure cherry sarsaparilla, the potential for excess weight is dealt with by the wine’s crisp acidity. JH 13.6% alc.