The name Strandlines comes from the ancient shorelines or dunes that mark the retreating ocean from what is now the Naracoorte Range in Wrattonbully. These ancient dunes harbour the famed red ‘Terra Rossa’ topsoil over Gambier limestone. The secret of these soils lies in the near perfect drainage they provide, leading to small crops of wonderfully concentrated fruit.
Cold soaked for five days before fermentation on
skins at 18 - 20 Degrees for 7 days. Maturation for 20
months in selected French oak before blending
and bottling.
2008 is one of the earliest vintages on record. We
had all of Wrattonbully picked before the end of
March. Quite amazing considering we did not start
picking till April in 2007 (which was also an early
year). Crops were low (1-2 tonnes/acre) wit some of
the smallest most concentrated berries yet from the
vineyard. These tiny berries gave rise to a lower juice
to skin ratio, leading to intense colour and
concentration of flavour. The 2008 reds from
Wrattonbully are going to be real beauties.
Wrattonbully adjoins the Coonawarra area in the
southern part of the Limestone Coast wine zone.
The prominent viticultural feature of the area is the
series of ancient beach ridges and dunes which run
roughly north-south through the area. These ridges
are made up of soft crumbly limestone which
weathers to produce the red and brown Terra
Rossa clay loam soils so highly prized for grape
growing. The ridges and dunes have elevations of
up to 30m compared with the Coonawarra Terra
Rossa 'high' of less than 5m. The extra elevation on
the Wrattonbully dunes produce the advantage of
cold air drainage which reduces the risk of frost
during the growing season.
HALLIDAY WINE COMPANION 2020
The easy power, the breadth of tannin, the sheer
confidence. This promised a lot as a young wine
but it has delivered more. It's fruity, it's pure, it's
secondary and it's delicious. Everything sings
both harmoniously and impressively.
(Review by: Campbell Mattinson).
James Halliday - australian wine
companion 2011
Good depth to the colour; a more robust, fullbodied style than Jim Chatto normally makes, but
it comed together in the end, as the depth of the
blackcurrant and blackberry fruits does carry the challenge
of the tannins. Patience will be rewarded. Drink to 2028.
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