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Ricca Terra

2019

‘The Marathon Man’

Red Wine   |   Riverland - Australia
Shelf Talker Spec Sheet Wine Label Bottle Image

About

Many believe the marathon is the truest test of endurance, determination and self-discipline. The reality is, the marathon all about self-belief, the knowledge you can do better and push yourself. Ashley has run multiple marathons but that is not what this wine is about. The parallel stems from pushing to make better wines and having the self-belief that he is on the ‘right’ path with sustainable varieties. Ashley wanted to make a true Bordeaux blend however he recognized that none of the Bordeaux varieties could be poignantly expressed in the Riverland on their own and needed some outside intervention. Hence Durif, or Petite Sirah, entered the fold bringing high acidity, a tannic backbone and as importantly, the resiliency to handle no irrigation.

The grapes were hand-harvested in late March and left to cold soak overnight. The ferments were separated by variety and occurred outdoors, kicking off without any additions. Frequent gentle pumpovers and occasional hand plunging over seven days were used for optimum extraction of color and tannin. After an additional 7 days on skins post-ferment the wine was racked to third year and older French barriques for aging. After 10 months of aging the wines barrels were selected for blending and settled in tank. The wine was bottled without fining or filtration and just a small addition of sulfur.

Stats

  • Grapes: 41% Cabernet Sauvignon - 35% Petit Verdot - 14% Durif - 10% Merlot
  • Vineyard: Ricca Terra Estate
  • Vine Age: Average: 16-years-old
  • Soil Type: Shallow, sandy, red loam over calcrete
  • Viticulture: Practicing Organic
  • Fermentation: Native - Stainless Steel
  • Skin Contact: 7 days
  • Aging: 10 months in third use and neutral 225L French barrique
  • Alcohol: 14.6%
  • pH: 3.45
  • Total Acidity: 6.4 g/L
  • Total SO2: 66 ppm
  • Total Production: 600 cases
  • UPC: 9369998005017

Tasting Note

Just over medium weight, dark berry fruit flavors, warm spice notes, some floral things going on. It’s attractive, no doubt. Palate has a chewy, dusty edge, firm tannin ribs the wine and yet darker fruits jostle there too.

Press & Reviews

Wine Enthusiast

94

"This is from a renowned organic producer whose fruit—which is sold to many small producers across Oz—has almost singlehandedly transformed the Riverland's image. It offers a deep well of aromas, from mocha, cherry chocolate, ground pepper, tobacco and mint. The palate shows remarkable freshness considering the heat of the region, forming a lovely line of acidity. The fruit is lively while the savory tannins bring it firmly down to earth. This confident wine is balanced and expressive. Drink now through 2028." - Christina Pickard

Producer


Ricca Terra

Region


Riverland

Country


Australia

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