Margan Family Rose and Bramble 2019
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James
Suckling
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Winemaker Notes
Margan Family Rose and Bramble was made using a combination of varieties and winemaking styles. A blend of Merlot and Barbera picked and pressed off skins immediately to encourage floral aromatics and elegant fruits reminiscent of roses and bramble. A small parcel of skin fermented Pinot Gris provides a textural component to the finished wine. A reflection of the volcanic soils of Broke Fordwich using old vines and an eclectic approach to winemaking has produced a dry wine packed with mouthfeel and fresh fruit.
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James Suckling
Light and bright, watermelon and strawberries, delivered in a very bright, light and juicy style. Crisp and lively.
Old Vines, Young Minds, Great Wines...
I enjoy making wines that show their sense of place. The Hunter Valley produces some of the most regionally unique styles of wine in the world. Every variety I grow has its own unique set of characters and structure that are affected significantly by the climate they enjoy, the soil they are produced from and the winemaking style I prefer. The quality of Margan is controlled from the vineyard right through to the consumer.
All of our wines are produced from our old vine, low yielding vineyards. The volcanic soils of the Fordwich Sill that nourish our vines produce excellent quality grapes that achieve optimal ripeness of flavour, colour and tannin. The wines that I can make from these grapes have great texture, structure and richness which are a true expression of the vineyard they come from. We produce a richer, softer Hunter style of wine.
In most cases I prefer to not interfere too much with what nature has provided and as such allow the flavour and characters of the fruit shine through to the wine. Minimal use of oak ensures that it is fruit intensity and natural structure that underpin my wines. The wines of the Hunter generally have excellent natural acidity which ensures they mature well and drink well with food. On the whole, I choose to not blend wines from different vineyards or varieties because I firmly believe that each wine should be true expressions of its variety and region.
Whether it’s playful and fun or savory and serious, most rosé today is not your grandmother’s White Zinfandel, though that category remains strong. Pink wine has recently become quite trendy, and this time around it’s commonly quite dry. Since the pigment in red wines comes from keeping fermenting juice in contact with the grape skins for an extended period, it follows that a pink wine can be made using just a brief period of skin contact—usually just a couple of days. The resulting color depends on grape variety and winemaking style, ranging from pale salmon to deep magenta.
Most admired for citrus-driven, mineral-rich and often age-worthy Semillon wines, Hunter Valley is one of Australia’s oldest wine regions and was home to its very first commercial vineyards. The region’s warm summer nights coupled with autumn cloud cover and cool sea breezes allow full ripening and healthy acidity levels for Semillon; its diverse soils of volcanic basalt and white alluvial sands promote the development of Semillon’s delicate aromas. Hunter Valley Semillons can certainly be enjoyed in their youth but with 10 to 20 years in the cellar, the best examples develop intriguing notes of honey, browned butter and roasted nuts.
Chardonnay and Shiraz also do well in Hunter Valley.