
Sascha Herbert & Chris Keys – Gibbston Valley winemakers
A sample of ‘School House’ with 10% whole cluster that had undergone 43 days on skins showed much riper spectrum fruit flavours of plums and even blueberry. The tannins on this were extremely refined and not overdone in any way. The decision to bottle it separately or use it as a blending component is yet to be made. Then a ‘School House’ clone 114 with 30% whole bunch and 25-30 days on skins was dark and inky, but clearly showing the vineyard elegance and linearity of bold fruit.
Onto Gibbston next. A ‘Glenlee’ with 43% whole cluster possessing great fragrance with sweet whole berry lift, and soft textures. Finally ‘Le Maitre’ with a beautiful pastille aroma and flavour, a touch confected in this primary state, but with that tell-tale old vine density and presenc