Konpira Maru - 2025 La Douche Tropicale

The tropical shower is back for the first time since 2021!!!!

We still reminisce about this wines conception. Back in the days when Sam smiled and Al was witty, working with Verdelho for the first time in its adopted home in QLD in a XXXX haze. Tasting through bucket loads of local examples and then thinking, yeah, fuck that, let's do the opposite. 

Many would say stupid, something we were all to use to (fair enough really), but for us it just made sense. Such a beautifully aromatic variety with high acid and more than enough tropical punch to deal with some skinsy handling. 

This year is definitely one for the acid lovers, sharp, tangy and of course tropicale!

Production: 90% Verdelho from the Robert Channon Vineyard in Amiens and 10% Viognier from St Judes Vineyard Ballandean, Granite Belt, QLD. The Verdelho was wild fermented as whole berries with twice daily pump overs for the first 7 days. Warm ferments without being hot to aid extraction. We then moved to hand plunging for the second week before being pressed after 15 days. It was then pressed long and slow to tank for settling. The Viognier was pressed immediately but pumped straight over lightly pressed Verdelho skins, as we much prefer the structure achieved macerating on Verdelho. It was wild fermented for 10 days with twice daily plunging before pressing.

Tasting notes: Lots going on here, starting with the appearance which is super cloudy. Its like a grown up version of the classic ice cream the Pine-lime Split. Lovely pineapple and lime aroma intertwine with a creamy mouthfeel and chalky tannins. Acid for days which leaves the palate screaming for more. More refreshing than a cold outdoor shower in the tropics whilst sipping a pina colada in 100% humidity - Al and Sam, Winermakers.