2006 Warrabilla Reserve Vintage Port

Warrabilla’s vintage ports are produced from 100% Durif grapes. Winemaker Andrew Sutherland Smith explains his preference for the variety in vintage port production with his typical eloquence.

“Both the 06 and 05 are very dry style (around 3 Be) massive big 100% Durif wines with mountains of colour, and huge tannin structure. I’m not a fan of the modern day Australian VP style (which is actually a poor copy of a Portuguese Ruby), using Portuguese varieties. Issue being the Portuguese get a choice of thousands of vineyards, we have a handful of vineyards planted to these varieties, and just maybe they are in the right spot. Probably not! I remember the Gayfer Durif Vintage Ports that were made at Chiltern from Durif (and the Fairfield ones at Rutherglen I played with in the 90’s). These are Australia’s answer to true Vintage style. Colour/flavour/Tannin. End of rant!”

Totally opaque inky black dark red colour with black dark red hue. The nose has a shade more intensity than the 2005 vintage with aromas of morello cherries, black cherries and liquorice emanating from the glass. Nuances of marzipan, light leather and spice follow. Rich and very concentrated with perfect spirit integration the palate delivers mouthfilling morello cherry, liquorice and black cherry flavours that fill every corner of the palate followed by some marzipan vanillin characters and light spice. Firm solidly constructed tannins are virtually overwhelmed by the richness of fruit. Very long and powerful aftertaste of morello cherry, liquorice, marzipan, vanilla and spice.

Cellar 10-15 years.