STORY ‘Boulder’. Montepulciano shares its ancestry with the Mitolo family, in the hilly Central Italian region of Abruzzo. Here exists the Gran Sasso d’Italia, the highest peak of the Apennine Mountains.

TASTING NOTE Deep and inviting bouquet with vibrant red cherry and black fruits, hints of dry spices and subtle savoury herbs. Generous and vibrant palate with black fruits and red cherries, spiced plum and an intriguing, caramelised apple fruit-sweetness. Hints of orange peel and Chinotto, dried oregano, subtle cinnamon and cedar tones flow into the ripe yet savoury tannins, finishing with vibrant acidity.

WINEMAKING Crushed and destemmed, fermented in two tonne open fermenters with twice daily pump overs. Temperatures were kept cool, between 20 and 24 degrees Celsius to retain fruit vibrancy and ensure a soft tannin structure. After ferment the wine was pressed, racked off gross lees and transferred to 70% seasoned French and 30% seasoned American oak for 18 months. Natural Malolactic fermentation was completed during this time, after which the wine was racked and returned to oak to complete maturation. No finings and only light filtration were used prior to bottling.

VINEYARD Lopresti Ridgehaven Vineyard - Hahn Road, Sellicks Hill.

Located at the southern tip of McLaren Vale on the foothills of the Mt Lofty Ranges. The site is defined by its red-brown clay loam soils, atop Christies Beach formation. Shattered rock appears throughout the profile, becoming more prevalent at its base where the Montepulciano rows reside. A north-westerly aspect captures ample sunlight and ensures ripening and plush tannin maturity in the fruit, whilst strong gully winds from the Ranges cool the vineyard into the evening.