2023 Sang de Soleil by Blood Moon Wines - Chenin Blanc - Sunbury, VIC 750ml
Vineyard
Located in the cooler, elevated area near Riddells Creek at the northern end of the Sunbury appellation, the almost 30 year old Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc are planted on shallow granitic soils that straddle the edge of the gorge that drains into the Longview Creek.
Matthew took over management of the Franc, Riesling and Chenin blocks of this vineyard for Blood Moon in 2015. A rigorous pruning regime was undertaken to completely retrain vines, which resulted in a low yield for that first harvest. Each harvest since has seen a return to more sustainable yields without sacrificing quality.
A third of the fruit was hand picked, crushed and left on skins for 72 hours; the rest was picked at the end of that soak and whole bunch pressed together with the skins and juice from the first batch. Fermentation was wild in old French oak hogsheads, then the wine was aged in those same barrels for 5 months. Unfined, unfiltered. No adds apart from sulphur.
