A Library Wine of Distinction and Depth

The 2015 Mistral highlights the beauty of an exceptional vintage, crafted from Viognier, Marsanne, and Roussanne in a style reminiscent of the iconic blends of the Rhne Valley. Carefully aged to develop depth and balance, this library wine demonstrates the enduring quality of Hans craftsmanship. Aged to showcase complexity while retaining its vibrant character, the 2015 Mistral is a rare treasure that reflects both the artistry of winemaking and the elegance of time.

60% Viognier, 20% Marsanne, 20% Roussanne

This Frenchie is grown on the hottest block of pure gravel and sand at an extremely low yield. A blockbuster with off-the-charts aromas of apricot, exotic fruit and lemon verbena that will age beautifully, but given its flamboyance we predict you will have enjoyed it long before then. Great depth and richness enchanted by aromas reminiscent of a hot summer walk through a Mediterranean herb garden. The creamy mouth filling texture is followed by a long lasting and spicy finish. Heaven!

Vintage 2015

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 with sandy and gravelly soils. This year was a beautiful warm, dry summer which consistency proved a perfect growing season for us. We were rewarded with beautiful healthy grapes which we picked at perfect physiological ripeness at an extremely 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 pure must allowed for a long, cool wild yeast fermentation in one new and one used French oak puncheon continuing to a natural malolactic fermentation and maturing on its fine lees for the next 18 months. I added a small amount of sulphur as a preservative to protect the wine from oxidizing and there is no fining or filtering to maintain its purity and flavours and natural sediment may show. Vegan wine.

Original Tasting Notes

Lose yourself in the delightful bouquet of elderflower, fresh pear and stone fruits with a humble kick of lemon rind. This complex blend has a refreshing mineral backbone with magnificent depth and richness, followed by a long lasting smooth finish which keeps on giving.

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.