2022 The Williams Vineyard by Flynn & Cooper - Macedon Ranges, VIC. 750ml
Planted in the 1970s, the Williams Vineyard is centrally located within the region, just adjacent to the township of Kyneton. Initially planted by the late Laurie Williams, forefather of Macedon Ranges viticulture and later managed by regional (and international, if you ask him) icon Alec Epis. The vineyard has a long history of producing fine, medium weight, age worthy wines under the Flynn and Williams and then Epis and Williams banners. This wine is a collaboration between myself and friend Tim Flynn, a fellow local whose father was the winemaker for the original Flynn and Williams wines. This is very likely to be the last vintage of wine bottled from what is a very significant site. Hand harvested with strict fruit sorting in the vineyard, bunches were then 100% de-stemmed and partially foot crushed before loading into open fermenters where they remained for three weeks. The must was allowed to soak until natural fermentation commenced and then extracted with a combination of pumping over, delestage and pigage before basket pressing. Elevage took place in a combination of one year old Stockinger 300l and seasoned thin staved Bordeaux coopered barriques for 12 months, before four months in stainless steal after assemblage. The only addition to the wine is a small dose of sulphur. Vivid purple. Initially reticent until time and aeration reveal perfectly ripened blackcurrant and blood plum fruits, sweet baking spices and cedar, the faintest hint of mint combined with a ferrous complexity. Refined, firm grainy tannin shapes the wine elegantly, drawing to a finish of superb length and clarity. Please decant well prior to drinking, while cellaring will reveal more nuance and complexity
