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NOTES
Carlei Estate has come a long way in a short time, with Sergio Carlei graduating from a home winemaking suburban garage to his own (commercial) winery in Upper Beaconsfield, which happens to full just within the boundaries of the Yarra Valley GI. Along the way, Sergio acquired a Bachelor of Wine Science from Charles Sturt University, and has established a 2.25-ha vineyard with organic and biodynamic accreditation adjacent to the Upper Beaconsfield winery.
Sergio believes environmentally responsible viticulture is the best course for winemaking: “Soil to a vine is like blood to a human being. We know that toxins in the blood lead to all sorts of health problems in people and the same holds true for plants, toxic soil leads to improper vine health. Most importantly, cleaner vineyards allow the true flavours in the fruit to be expressed, which results in better-tasting and better balanced wines”.
Sergio's mission is to improve wine quality and optimise fruit flavours, the natural way; “If we look at biodynamic fruit, the tannins are richer and riper. These natural preserving agents soften with the ageing process and add complexity to the wine, that's the idea of ageing. The wines have real length and wonderful depth and as the vines get older, they will just get better and better.”
TASTING NOTES
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.
REVIEWS
Potent, powerful black fruits, spice and licorice; built-in tannins are unobtrusive but definitely present. Cork. 14% alc. Rating 94 James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion 2007
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