Description

ABOUT THE PRODUCER:
Established by Bob and Cherie Berton in May 1996, Berton Vineyard is one of Hallgarten’s most important partners. The estate covers 30 hectares of land located on gently rolling hills at 450 metres above sea level, in a subregion of Eden Valley in South Australia. The superb Reserve Shiraz and Reserve Chardonnay wines are still sourced from this plot. In 2007, Bob purchased the Yenda winery in the heart of the Riverina. This state-of- the-art facility has the capacity to process 20,000 tonnes and enables Berton Vineyard to produce value for money wines which sit alongside their premium single vineyard offerings.

THE VINTAGE:
Once again drought conditions prevailed leading up to the 2019 harvest in the High Eden Vineyard. The dam actually ran dry and with no rain predicted, resulting in the smallest crop since planting. However the lack of rain and ground water meant fruit intensity was elevated. Both parcels of Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon were harvested on 15th March, which is the earliest harvest from this block.

ABOUT THE VINEYARD:
The vineyard was planted in 1996, with vines planted 1.5m apart and with 3.3m between the rows. A single wire trellis system is used which ensures good ventilation and minimal disease. The canopy is typically quite sparse allowing maximum sunlight penetration. The vines are spur pruned and grown in “Podsolics” an old grey soil formed over yellow clay, which is sandy and slightly sodic.

THE WINEMAKING PROCESS:
The grapes were destemmed and crushed into 15 tonne static fermenters where it was inoculated with carefully selected yeast. Fermentation continued for six days between 22°C and 26°C. The wine was then pressed at 0.5 Baumé into stainless steel storage tanks and left to complete malolactic conversion. Once complete, each parcel was clarified via centrifuge and transferred into new and old French and American oak barrels for 14 months. The best barrels were carefully selected and blended prior to bottling.

OUR TASTING NOTES:
The Bonsai impresses with impenetrable violet hues and delivers intense aromas of blueberry, plum, liquorice and toasty oak. Subtle fine tannins marry perfectly with the soft, elegant palate of dark cherry, plum and white pepper.

GRAPE VARIETY:
Shiraz 77%, Cabernet Sauvignon 23%.