A key to the success of Ribbon Vale is an astute understanding of how tannins develop through skin contact and fermentation. Through tasting, the right balance between fruit, tannin and the correct time to press is struck. Merlot is a contrary beast, the goldilocks of grapes and the porridge has to be just right. The inclusion of Cabernet Franc fulfills a long time ambition to, fashion Ribbon Vale in the style of the great right bank wines of Bordeaux. Delicious drinking now, for those who prefer the plump young flavours of Medoc in its youth.

Fruit is hand picked and de stemmed into small, open fermenters. Inoculated to a pure yeast culture and vinified at controlled temperatures peaking at 28C. Each batch is hand plunged thrice daily over the course of a fortnight, regularly tasted to ensure good extraction of flavour and tannin. As fermentation progresses, the treatment of varietal components begins to vary, batches are pressed at varying stages of completion, drained and treated to malolactic. Parcels are filled to a combination of seasoned and new 225 litre French oak barriques, racked and assembled in late summer, followed by an extended term of maturation and unfined bottling.