De Bortoli Wines has announced its latest move in the growing Tempranillo varietal space, with newest addition to its Woodfired range, the Woodfired Heathcote Tempranillo.
The Woodfired range began in 2015 and has amassed an impressive 105 awards since then, including trophies, and platinum, gold and silver medals. Most recently, Woodfired Heathcote Shiraz won a gold medal at the UK International Wine Challenge, with a score of 95 points.
The grapes for the new Tempranillo are primarily sourced from the Heathcote Ridge vineyard, which boasts red Cambrian soils, resulting in a rich, dark-fruited wine with grainy texture.
The vinification process includes a 10-to-20-day fermentation period, and then a five-month vat maturation. Producing Tempranillo presented a number of challenges for Yarra Valley Estate winemaker Jono Thompson and his team, including working with an early ripening variety, and balancing granular tannins. The resultant wine is ready for immediate drinking, with potential to age over the next two to four years.
Tasting notes for the Tempranillo describe ripe dark cherry characters, complemented by hints of cedarwood and coffee. Food pairing suggestions include chargrilled red chorizo, pimento peppers, and manchego cheese. It evidences the growing popularity of the Heathcote region and the quality of its emerging varietals.
Woodfired Heathcote Tempranillo has an ABV of 14.5 per cent and an RRP of $12.95