Lethbridge Hugo George Sangiovese 2018

Description

Maree Collis and Ray Nadeson are not your average winemaker/owners of a boutique winery. Both were initially trained as research scientists and hold PhD degrees in chemistry and medicine, respectively. Mid career they made the decision to pursue their alternate passion and together with friend Adrian Thomas established Lethbridge Wines in 1996. Both Maree and Ray completed their winemaking degree at Charles Sturt University after which Ray concluded “winemaking is not really that different to science, both are creative and both involve 99% perspiration, 1% inspiration”.

Not surprisingly, the site at Lethbridge was selected based on scientific principles such as soil type, degree days and other climatic indicators, yet after purchasing the property in Lethbridge they discovered an ancient old wooden fermentation vat in one of the old sheds. Further investigation revealed that site had originally been planted by Swiss vignerons in the 1870’s before the scourge of phylloxera decimated the Geelong wine region. This story is compelling in the connection between traditional wisdom and modern science.

The focus of Lethbridge Wines is to produce wines that are textural, savoury and reveal characters true to variety and terroir.  The wines of Lethbridge are generally single varietal wines or mirror a traditional European blend.  The winemaking team, led by Ray Nadeson, are committed to excellence.  The fruit, if not estate grown, is from selected special sites tended by passionate people.  The barrels are directly imported, with Ray even visiting the forests with the Coopers to select the trees to be felled and the wines are benchmarked with the best in the world.  Each vintage something new is learned.

While best known for the varieties of the Geelong region, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Shiraz, Lethbridge also produce a wide range which includes Riesling, Pinot Gris, Viognier, Merlot, Sangiovese and more, with the most recent exciting addition to the vineyard and cellar being Gamay.

From the winemaker: “I have always thought that grapes are an autumn fruit. I know that this is a controversial idea and one that will make some of my winemaking friends defensive. This theory has been fermenting in the back of my mind for the last 20 years and has only clarified since I have been making Southern Italian varieties from warm climates such as Heathcote. Here is my contentious point; for classic varieties grown in their traditional homes, there is a strong correlation between their best vintages and an autumn harvest. This is because grapes picked in autumn have the best natural balance of sugar, acidity, tannin and flavour. 2018 vintage was characterized by warm days which are ideal for ripening Sangiovese. The weather stretched into autumn for a long ripening which aided flavour concentration in the fruit. Varieties were fermented separately and matured for 18 months in new French oak. The final blend is a picture-perfect marriage of flavour, texture, and richness. 50% Sangiovese, 31% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Franc. Hugo George is not often made but when it is, it’s an absolute delight. Savory notes of sour cherries, lavender, and plump, juicy Victoria Plumbs. The back palate has a woodfired, smokey finish with sweet spices and cured meat.” Ray

The Hugo George, named after Maree Collis and Ray Nadeson’s son, and in the last 20 years, this wine has been made on just five occasions. The Brunello vines on the Lethbridge property can be fickle and challenging to manage. The bunches are big, as are the berries, and the vines are vigorous. For Ray, low yields are key to the Lethbridge signature, so in a given year, he will drop up to 75% of the fruit. Merlot (31%) and Cabernet Franc (19%) make up the balance of the blend.

The batches fermented separately before being blended and matured for 15 months in new wood. The wine then rested in bottle for a further three years before release. Sweet and savoury with a lovely sour tang, it’s a plump, generous and wonderfully balanced wine. Ray sums the wine up nicely: “A picture-perfect marriage of flavour, texture, and richness.”

RRP $114   Our Special Price $88.99 when you buy 6 or more of this wine.