A Library Wine with Rhne Valley Elegance

The 2014 Mistral draws inspiration from the legendary white blends of Frances Rhne Valley, showcasing a New World interpretation with remarkable aging potential. This Viognier, Marsanne, and Roussanne blend has spent years maturing gracefully in our cellars, revealing a refined complexity and harmonious balance. With its structured elegance and nod to its Rhne roots, the 2014 Mistral is a rare library wine that bridges tradition and innovation, a true gem for collectors and enthusiasts alike.

60% Viognier, 20% Marsanne, 20% Roussanne

Following traditional French methods of Hermitage, I let the must go through four weeks of cool and wild fermentation in the same puncheon where it continues to age for the next 18 months on its fine lees. To maintain its purity and flavours this wine is not fined and only lightly filtered.

Vintage 2014

Mistral is one of the prevailing winds of the French Rhone Valley, the native home of these powerful and aromatic grapes. Varieties which love to grow on one of our hottest block of sandy and gravelly soils. 2014 was another perfect growing season and we were rewarded with beautiful healthy grapes which we picked at perfect physiological ripeness at an extremely concentrated, low yield of 500g/vine.

Hans’ Winemaking Comments

The clean perfect fruit enables a cold maceration (extended skin contact) to extract compounds from the fruit flesh, pulp, skins and seeds into the must for a fruit-forward and complex wine with increased aromatic and colour intensity. (Without extracting any unwelcome taints from imperfect grapes which show as defected aromas and funky smelling when making natural wines.) Such pureness allowed for a long, cool wild yeast fermentation in one new and one used French oak puncheon continuing to a natural malolactic fermentation and further maturing on its fine lees for the next 18 months. No fining or filtering to maintain its purity and flavours. Natural sediment may show. Vegan wine.

Original Tasting Notes

Lose yourself in the delightful bouquet of elderflower, caramelised pear and apricot enveloped by honeysuckle, almond and cinnamon. A complex blend married with magnificent depth and richness is followed by a long lasting and spicy finish.

Technical Data

Variety

60% Viognier, 20% Marsanne, 20% Roussanne

Rootstock

101-14, RG

Vines Planted

Viognier, 1996, Marsanne & Roussanne, 2007

Soil

Shallow (<45cm) well drained sandy and gravelly soil, developed from stony alluvium

Plant Density

5,500 vines/ha

Yield

2t/ha

Alcohol

14%

Residual Sugar

<1g/L

Ageing Potential

14 years

Food Matching Suggestion

Well suited to rich seafood and fish dishes, Asian style pork, goat cheese and chicken.