Saeke - 2024 Light Dry Red

The 2024 Saeke Light Dry Red consists of 80% Syrah from the NASAA certified organic Saddleback vineyard owned by Chapoutier, and 20% Grenache from the Landsborough vineyard (also owned by Chapoutier, and likewise certified organic) in the Victorian Pyrenees. The quarter-century old vineyards are planted on dramatic geography, with the peaks of the rugged Pyrenees providing , aspect south-east and 2024 was a truly ideal growing season, marked by rainfall and full dams early in the season and then a long dry ripening season post the turn of the year. The fruit was hand harvested in early April at full ripeness and transported to Cobaw Ridge winery. 

The Syrah saw a light two day maceration before basket pressing, while the grenache was destemmed over some remaining Syrah whole bunches, and regular twice daily pigeage before pressing after a two week maceration (we got the big unit, Joshua Cooper on the plunger for this!). This grenache was then used to top the Syrah-rosé barrels and puncheons. Elevage took place in old oak for 10 months before assemblage in stainless steel for a month before bottling. The only addition to the wine was a little sulphur before bottling back in February. The extra rest in bottle before release has allowed the fruit to settle and the wine is showing tremendously well now, and will keep in the medium term to show additional complexity. The wines of Domaine l'Anglore remain a touchstone and I believe the 2024 vintage is perhaps the closest we have reached to achieving that ideal. The wine will take the lightest of chills in the warmer months.

A wonderful translucent diaphanous red in the glass, with depth and vibrancy, wild herb, a lovely aniseed note with soft shiny tannins, fleshy fruit and vibrant persistence. - Jez Sheill, Winemaker.