2017 Lock & Key Reserve Tempranillo
$30.00
“elegant & stylish”
Out of stock
Generally, Australian Tempranillo has a relatively short growing cycle; a fast bud burst followed by a relatively quick ripening period.
However, we’ve found that Tempranillo performs exceptionally well in the cool climate and high altitude that the Hilltops region offers. The high diurnal temperature range (warm days /cool nights) stretches out the growing season, giving the grape time develop and slowly ripen. As a result the wines are brighter, fresher and more complex.
“.. a good example of how good Tempranillo can be in Australia.” – Wine Matrix
- Vintage: 2017
- Variety: Tempranillo
- Alcohol: 14%
- Region: Hilltops
- Bottle Size: 750ml
- Case Size: 12
- Country: Australia
Awards
Vintage 2017
- 93pts – James Halliday
- 92pts – Sam Kim, Wine Orbit
- 92pts – Stephen Read, Wine Matrix
Vintage 2016
- 95 Points – James Halliday
- 94 Points – Sam Kim
- Consistency of Excellence Medal – awarded to a wine that has won 3 Gold Medals in consecutive vintages; 2014, 2015 & 2016 at Royal Melbourne Wine Awards.
- GOLD – Royal Melbourne Wine Awards 2017
- GOLD – Canberra & Region Wine Show 2017
- GOLD – Wine Showcase Magazine 2018
Vintage 2015
- 95 Points – James Halliday, Wine Companion
- TROPHY – Hilltops Wine Show 2016
- GOLD – The National Wine Show of Australia 2016
- GOLD – National Cool Climate Wine Show 2016
- GOLD – Sydney International Wine Competition 2016
- GOLD – Royal Harbour International Wine Show 2016
- GOLD – Royal Melbourne Wine Awards 2016
- GOLD – Royal Perth Wine Show 2016
- GOLD – NSW Wine Awards 2016
- GOLD – NSW Small Winemakers 2016
- GOLD – Hilltops Wine Show 2016
- GOLD – Wine Showcase Magazine
Vintage 2014
- 94 Points James Halliday, Wine Companion
- TROPHY – NSW Small Winemakers Wine Show 2015
- GOLD – NSW Wine Awards 2015
- GOLD – Royal Melbourne Wine Show 2015
- GOLD – Rutherglen Wine Show 2015
- GOLD – NSW Small Winemakers Wine Show 2015
Technical & Tasting Notes
VITICULTURE
In 2017, the fruit ripened easily and evenly and maintained really good natural acidity. There was zero disease pressure. The biggest challenges were to keep yields down and provide shade for the fruit. Several thinning passes were made throughout the growing season to reduce the yield and encourage canopy cover.
WINE MAKING
The fruit was cold soaked pre fermentation and matured in 2-5 year old French oak barrels for 9 months.
TASTING NOTES
A bright, lifted nose of savoury cherry, dusted cocoa and spice. This is a bold, deliciously juicy, joven-style Tempranillo. The palate is bright and rich with generous black cherries laced with layers of spice. Unashamedly fruit focussed, this medium weight red is impeccably balanced with flavours that are dark & deep but fresh & bright. Finely grained, supple tannins with a hint of cocoa on the finish.
Reviews
Vintage 2017
“…Cherry, cherry everywhere – all types and flavours. It all comes together on the coherent, well balanced palate and aftertaste.” – James Halliday
“Bright, ripe and fragrant, the inviting bouquet shows Black Doris plum, cranberry, floral, almond and subtle spice aromas, leading to a juicy palate that is vibrant and silky at the same time. The wine offers delightful fruit purity and intensity, wonderfully supported by fine texture and polished tannins.” –Sam Kim, Wine Orbit
“Rich plum, sweet and fragrant, intense and brooding all describe these complex aromas. The palate is full of sweet fruit, cherry and plums along with balanced acid, soft tannins and spice. Complex with good length to the finish, a good example of how good Tempranillo can be in Australia.” – Stephen Read, Wine Matrix
Vintage 2016
“The quality of the wine is excellent, the decision to not use any new oak spot on. It focuses the attention on red and dark cherry aromas, the palate in tune with the approach.” – James Halliday
“A beautifully styled Tempranillo, the complex bouquet shows spiced cherry, plum, clove, charcuterie and toasted nut characters. The palate is medium-full and rounded, and delivers gorgeous silky mouthfeel and attractive fruit flavours backed by seductive savoury nuances. Elegant, stylish and very appealing.” – Sam Kim, Wine Orbit
Vintage 2015
“Tempranillo is slowly gaining a foothold in the Australian market so why not one from an emerging, highly awarded region like Hilltops? The vibrant red colour leads to a lifted floral nose of blackcurrants. The palate delivers savoury and spice with dark berries and fine tannins. Spain would approve!” – Ben Malouf
“Everything about this wine is as it should be: bright crimson-purple hue, a forthright bouquet traversing berries small and large, flavours from red (cherry) to black (blackcurrant) all with a seductive juicy character to the long, medium bodied palate, the farewell bringing echoes of spice and licorice into play.” – James Halliday, Wine Companion
Vintage 2014
“Good hue, although not especially deep, send an ambivalent message that is immediately swept to one side by the layered richness of the red and black cherry fruits; oak and tannin management has also been exemplary.” – James Halliday, Wine Companion
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