BACKGROUND
Dandelion Vineyards are proven plantings that have stood the test of time. Our wish is to nurture the unique character of these vineyards and express their terroir in our wines. To capture variety, vintage and vineyard requires and enlightened approach. “When I see a weed I see the Devil is an old grower's mantra, but we encourage the humble Dandelion amongst the vines as they suppress winter weeds, provide mulch in summer, and their Wishing Clocks to blow off in Spring.”
Dandelion Vineyards is a unique fusion of vineyards and vignerons. Our wines represent decades of experience, blending the fruit of our heirloom vineyards with the finest traditions of artisan winemaking. The Lionheart of Dandelion Vineyards is our old vine Barossa vineyard. From these ancient, gnarled vines, many over a hundred years of age, are not only surviving but thriving on their own roots in some of the oldest soils on the planet.
WINEMAKING
In the last week of March whole bunches of flavour ripe Merlot were hand harvested, then gently crushed and naturally fermented in open fermenters for nine days, hand plunged twice a day, before careful basket pressing into new (25%) and older French Oak Barriques to finish fermentation. After 12 months maturation and a racking in the same oak, we blended with some of our old vine Shiraz to spice things up and bottled this wine without filtration or fining, to capture the fruit’s pure essence. It is ready to drink and will reward cellaring and decanting.
Dressed To Impress
Review by: Tony Harper
, Brisbane News
These single-vineyard wines second the emotions evoked by their good looks and whimsical names.
Click the title to read the full review.
2010 Damsel of the Barossa Merlot
Review by: Matt Skinner
, Australian Good Food
2010 Damsel of the Barossa Merlot
Score: 90 points
Review by: James Halliday
, Australian Wine Companion 2012
TASTING NOTES
Intense crimson with youthful purple hues. Lifted blue fruits, blood and of course damson plums, ripe blackberries and Christmas pudding-like spice flow out of the glass with spicy pepper, and hints of bramble and dark chocolate. Generous mouth filling sweet blackberry, raspberry and damson plums cover the palate with lashings of sweet spice. Firm but fine tannins and dark chocolaty nuances continue throughout the lengthy palate with youthful finish.
Other Vintages
2008
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2009
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2011
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DRINK
Perfectly matched with all richly flavoured foods, meats, stews, game or mature hard cheeses. Alluring on the palate our Merlot commands company with food and friends.
WINEMAKER
Elena Brooks BSc (Oneology) Adelaide
SPECIFICS
Alcohol: 14.5%
TA: 7.0g/L
pH: 3.49
RS: 1.9g/L
Latitude 34°36’53” South
Longitude 138°53’25” East
Altitude 649 Feet = 198 Metres
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Wish you were here. Carl Lindner & Brad Rey, Vignerons, Zar Brooks, Typist, Elena Brooks, Winemaker
