Description
Turners Crossing was planted by Paul Jenkins in 1999 and named after the local farmers crossing at Loddon River in Victoria ‘s Bendigo in the late 1800s. Much celebrated and zealous winemaker. Sergio Carlei was so impressed with the consistent quality and balance of fruit produced on the vineyard (warm days to ripen fruit and cool nights impart vibrancy/freshness and savoury more ish leather/tarriness in the flavour spectrum) that he was quick to strike up a business partnership with Paul to create Turners Crossing wines. The vineyard ‘s unique red sandy clay soils over limestone (like the Coonawarra) provide great drainage and high ph ideal for vines to access all the trace elements and minerals needed in the soils which translates to consistency of quality. Low yields and much care and attention use of organic fertilisers and dry mediteranean summers means minimal disease pressure and no need for chemical sprays in the vineyard.
Sergio employs long maceration. wild yeast co fermentation of 95% shiraz and 5% viognier followed by 24 months maturation in French oak. Sergio says about this wine “The wine is very deep red in colour. the aroma has intense and concentrated ripe black fruits with no overt jammy elements and some complex spiciness and savoury elements and less apparent Viognier aromatics (hints of spicy apricots). The very warm year produced an intense palate which is complementary to the aromas. rich. round and full in weight with intense fruit and some savoury. earthy elements. lovely framing spicy persistent tannins and lingering balanced mineral acidity. The wine is very complex and represents the classical Bendigo Terroir in an excellent year. Although the wine is rich and full now and drinks very well. it can also benefit with further bottle aging. ”
95 points James Halliday “Everything about this wine is impressive. from its vibrant cherry and plum fruit through to its fine. spicy tannins that run through much of the palate. and its impressive finish and aftertaste ”
93 points. Campbell Mattinson. The Wine Front “Big. lifted. aromatic style. Viognier is slightly jarring. Plums. mint. pepper spice. and a stonefruity sweetness. Lots of come hither appeal for sure. Lots of succulent. well ripened. smooth fruit. Impeccable tannin. Length is good too ”
Ralph Kyte Powell. SMH/The Age “A top notch Bendigo shiraz viognier blend that avoids the eucalypty traits of some central Victorian reds. Instead. it offers complex. elegant aromas of raspberries. glace cherries. spice and milk chocolate. The palate follows through smooth and seamless. medium bodied and succulent in flavour. with a sinewy backbone of fine tannins that should support some bottle age. First class Victorian regional wine. Wine of the week ‘ 12 Feb 2013. RRP $26
