Chrysalis Red Blend 2016

Harvest Description

Lourensford Estate experienced a moderately wet winter that allowed vines to go into proper dormancy with budding that started earlier than usual. We did not have the usual severe South Easter winds at the start of summer and this resulted in even budding and flowering of the vines. Even though we experienced moderate temperatures and cool nights in the summer, the very dry conditions resulted in much faster ripening and the earliest recorded harvest dates in the history on the Estate. The vines were generally very healthy and in good balance and harmony. The fruit was picked by hand early in the morning to protect the very delicate flavours and placed into 5 ton fermenters with regular, manual punch downs before the grapes were pressed and transferred to barrels for malo-lactic fermentation and ageing. Resulting in a refined wine with elegance and structure.