2019 Mangan East Block

81% Malbec, 19% Petit Verdot. From the East Block section of the vineyard, where the Malbec is deeply rooted and has Scott Henry trellising, giving better exposure and better-quality fruit. The Petit Verdot component is planted on forest grove, which is gravelly soil and produces low yields and intense fruit. Vintage marked by frost and low yields. H and-harvested from the prime sections of the eastern blocks of the Mangan vineyard. Fruit was then destemmed and vinified with the emphasis on accentuating the fruit character of the grapes. It was fermented using indigenous yeast, basket-pressed and then matured for five months in French oak, of which 45% was new. Screwcap. TA 6.6 g/l, pH 3.45.  Carbon neutral, certified biodynamic, certified organic, sustainable, vegetarian, vegan. A lot of fruit lost to birds in 2019, despite the netting. Even darker than the Red Moon. Same gorgeous floral and dark-red-fruits aroma but even more concentration in both aroma and flavour. Intense wild pure fruit. Deeper, richer but still with the deftly rounded tannins and depth of flavour. The floral character is there on the palate too. Perhaps just a hint of chocolate. Fabulous freshness in the tannins themselves and yet they are so plush. (JH)