A very low yielding vineyard with deep red Cambrian soils, planted on an easterly slope. Harvested over a few days to ensure optimum balance, ripeness and intensity of flavour. The fruit was destemmed ; berries not crushed or pumped to preserve their physical integrity and transferred to open 3800 litre French oak foudres. Natural fermentation was followed by extended maceration of 3 to 5 weeks. The wine was aged in 60% new French oak, with a couple of Hungarian barrels for added interest, over 24 months.

Source: Carlei Estate website

Complex brown spice and pepper on the nose with ripe plums and a lifted floral note. This is a very powerful wine with typical earthiness and chewy, fleshy texture. The finish is persistent with fine tannins and a fabulous balanced acidity. There is some musky perfume and smoky new oak as well. Classically structured, this wine offers lovely drinking now but will improve over the next 3 to 5 years. It should then mature slowly for many years hence.