George Francis Morris established a small vineyard in 1859, just two miles east of the current
Mia Mia Morris family wineworks. A Rutherglen specialty, Durif is a characteristically big wine, originally imported from
Hermitage by Victoria's legendary viticulturalist Francois de Castella circa 1908. A totally edifying drink to acccompany ripe, tasty cheeses or char flamed grills, heaven sent for rare sirloin, the perfect match to venison and gourmandise game.
The finest parcels of Rutherglan Durif are harvested and crushed into open fermenters. The small berries yield a great concentration of flavours with high alcohol, dark colour and soft tannins, making a style of wine that's renowned for structure and longevity. Vinification is controlled, initially at cooler temperatures to maintain fresh varietal fruit characters, gradually rising to warmer temperatures, for optimal extractions of good colour and fine tannins. After several days of open ferments, batches are pressed into an equal balance of seasoned and new, American and French oak hogsheads for completion of malolactic and two years maturation before the final assemblage.
TASTING NOTESDeep brickish red with purple hues. Lifted fresh aromas of ripe blackcurrant and spicy fruits, complexed by a subtle influence of cedar. Rich, supple, concentrated berry flavours integrated with fruit and oak tannins, a very good length of flavour.