2006 la RETO Tempranillo

Tempranillo is Spain's 'noble' red grape, renowned for producing graceful, age-worthy wines. Although a relative newcomer, this variety is quickly gaining prominence in Australia amongst wine producers and consumers alike.

'la RETO', translated from Spanish means 'The Challenge'. Produced from 100% Barossa Valley fruit, our initial challenge was to source fruit of the desired quality and personality. After a long search, two small vineyards were identified – one near Lyndoch at the Southern end of the Valley and one near Angaston in the North.

Fruit was hand-picked in early March and destemmed into small open fermenters. The must was “cold soaked” with daily juice pump-overs until fermentation commenced. Ferments were then hand-plunged with juice pump–overs twice daily to extract flavour, colour and tannins. The wine was basket pressed, settled and racked to seasoned 225 litre oak barriques where it was matured for 18 months prior to final blending.