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Available by the dozen
Rahona Valley wines are all produced from a single four acre property within a small valley at Red Hill on the Mornington Peninsula. The growing conditions are excellent, deep, well drained red basalt soils nurture the vines, as the cool maritime climes lead to a long, slow ripening period. Oak barrels impart a very important part of the flavour profile, one of the most significant costs each year. The annual visit of the cooper, a few months before harvest, is one of those pivotal occasions that go a long way to setting the style of wine each and every vintage. An assemblage of five clones Pinot Noir, each component and vineyard lot is crushed and destemmed into open vats as they are picked. Grapes are macerated for several days, by which time they begin a spontaneous fermentation. Upon completion, each vat is closed and allowed to soak for a further seven to fourteen days. Whilst maintaining the identity of each individual parcel, the wine is pressed to a combination of new and prior use French oak barrels where it rests undisturbed until bottling. Typically, oak from the forest of Troncais in the Allier region of central France produces particularly good timber, the most highly priced of all, it is the oak of choice at Rahona Valley.
TASTING NOTESDeep scarlet colour. Ripe aromas of plum, black cherry and spice, vanilla bean and clove, sage leaf and toast. A wine of refinement and definition, it's light to medium bodied palate presents a mix of berry fruits, rhubarb and currant, cranberry, stalk and earth. Balanced tannins and refreshing acidity, the restrained use of new Fench oak allows the fruit to express the character of Mornington's maritime clime. |
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Rahona Valley Wines is nestled within the elevated aspects of Red Hill which overlooks Mount Martha and Port Phillip Bay in the west, Point Leo and Westernport Bay to the east
The estate's wines are all produced from a single four acre vineyard in a small valley at Red Hill on the Mornington Peninsula. The conditions are excellent, deep, well drained red basalt soils nurture the vines, as the cool maritime climes lead to a long, slow ripening period. Starting from scratch in 1991, the north facing 1.6 hectare vineyard surrounded by bushland now has 5000 hand tended vines of mostly Pinot Noir with a small block of Pinot Meunier. Here at Rahona Valley, the vines are mature and the drinkers are noticing the difference. All vines are own rooted, so provided there are a couple more generations of dedicated vignerons and winemakers, characteristics should compare with Burgundy. Rahona Valley's best wines are aged in the barrel for 18 months or more, whereas the normal process is to bottle after 12 months so that barrels can be reused for the next harvest. Rahona Valley»
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