“Mayford and Tempranillo have become synonymous.

There’s plenty of bold flavour here though there’s a firm undertow of tannin and it feels seamless throughout. In fact overall integration here, particularly of oak and fruit, is excellent. Coffee, cola, black cherry, sweet herbs and roasted meat notes. It feels up-front and generous at first but then the finish trails out beautifully.”

Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front

Released August 2021

 2019 brought another excellent season- warm and dry with moderate  yields and small- berried fruit in perfect condition.

 Tempranillo was hand-picked in fourteen small parcels between 28 February and 18 March. The younger clones (planted 2015) yielded sufficiently to be managed as individual ferments.

 Each separate batch was chilled and cold soaked prior to natural ferment in open pots with extensive hand plunging. Some batches had a percentage of stalk and whole bunch inclusion and others, extended post ferment-maceration.

 Each wine was then basket pressed before being put to barrel for maturation in French barriques (25% new) for eleven months, retaining malo lees for texture and complexity. An exhilarating blending process completed the journey.

 Perfumed and alluring .  Exotic Black forest aromas of dark cherry and cocoa dust mingle with savoury notes, linament, charred meats and soy.  A heady mix of dark fruits, dried herbs and spice.

 The palate shows poise and balance.  It is mid-weight with fleshy dark fruits, black cherry and sarsaparilla, spice, bitter chocolate, and char.  Glorious velvety tannins coat the tongue and give firm punctuation. Beautifully complex and balanced.

Drink 2022-2035.

Bottled February 2020

Bottled under screwcap.