REGION:
South Australia, 2010
VITICULTURE & WINEMAKING:
The grapes for this wine were sourced from the Angove family’s own vineyards and premium growers in the region. Soils are predominantly red sandy loam over limestone, on gently undulating east west ridges.
Harvest in 2010 was almost perfect; after a long wait some water returned
to the Murray Darling system, the life blood of Australia’s inland regions, and growers were able to irrigate sensibly. The weather was consistent with sunny days and cool nights, except for a short heat spell in early November which stressed vines whilst flowers were setting. A subsequent smaller than normal yield resulted, which in turn meant more intense flavour. Harvest began early as the flavours and tannins ripened quickly, producing grapes deep in colour and rich in texture.
The grapes for this wine were picked at night to make sure that they were
as cool as possible. Crushed to modern rotary fermenters the grapes were then allowed to macerate for 2 days before inoculation and fermentation. Pressed off skins 7 days later and allowed to go through the second malolactic fermentation. The wine has then had minimal handling prior to filtration for bottling.
WINEMAKERS' NOTES:
Deep red with purple hues this voluptuous wine abounds in enticing aromas
of cherry and blackcurrant with herbal undertones. The medium to full palate is well balanced with red and dark berry fruits, good length and a soft, rounded finish.
TECHNICAL:
Variety: Merlot
Alcohol: 14.0%
Total Acidity: 6.5gms/L
Residual Sugar: <2gms/L
James Halliday Aust. Wine Companion 2012 Edition - 88 Points - 4 Stars
Paddy Kendler's Top 20 Brands Guaranteed To Deliver On Taste - Herald Sun - 30.12.08 - Page 27 - LONG ROW RANGE
Angove's offers the dependable budget brand Butterfly Ridge, as well as the Nine Vines and Vineyard Select ranges, but Long Row is my pick of the pack. Chardonnay and sauvignon blanc are invariably huge value and shiraz and cabernet sauvignon over-deliver on quality at a modest price.
Quaff 2009, The Best Wines in Australia Under $15 - Peter Forrestal
Rated 'Pretty Good'
'There are plenty of rich, concentrated plummy flavours but a
dominant oaky edge gives it a firm finish. Try and tame it with a robust beef stew.'
Jeremy Oliver - The Australian Wine Annual 2008
Long Row Range named in Top 10 Bargain Wines
In his comments Jeremy noted " One of Australia's largest family owned wine producers, Angove's, is also emerging as one of our quiet achievers. I am particularly impressed with its winemaking attitude, which is to attempt to create the most elegant and balanced wine possible, regardless of the ultimate price of the finished product. The results are seen in the freshness and perhaps unexpected finesse of the Vineyard Select range, as well as the sheer value for money found under the Long Row label."
The Advertiser - 11.4.07 - Tony Love - 87 point review
'Subtle purple plums write the story here, with much of the fruit from Coonawarra and Wrattonbully giving a decent structural weight in the mouth without too many layers of complexity to get in the way. At this price, you'll be coming back for more.'
2008 Vintage, Decanter World Wine Awards 2010, Commended
2008 Vintage, International Wine Challenge 2010, Commended
2008 Vintage, Int'l Wine & Spirit Comp 2009, Silver Medal & Best in Class
2008 Vintage, Rutherglen Wine Show 2009, Bronze
2008 Vintage, Int'l Wine Challenge 2009, Bronze
2008 Vintage, Riverina Wine Show 2009, Bronze
REGION:
South Australia, 2009
VITICULTURE & WINEMAKING:
The premium Merlot grapes used in this wine have been sourced from several premium growers in South Australia. The selection of a variety of vineyards and regions results in a more complex wine of greater depth and interest, as the different regions contribute components of synergistic character.
An early vintage, with good ripening conditions in January and February, followed by some extreme heat in March. Disease pressures were low, but ripening was quite fast putting emphasis back on the winemakers to manage grape harvest timing carefully.
Harvested in the cool of night, each parcel was fermented separately and in a manner to produce the best result for its inherent characteristics.
Following fermentation the wine was pressed off skins and allowed to go through the second malolactic fermentation. Select parcels were matured in small barrels prior to final blending and bottling.
WINEMAKERS' NOTES:
Deep red with purple hues, the complex nose has enticing varietal aromas of cherry and blackcurrant with herbal undertones. The medium to full palate is well balanced with red and dark berry fruits, good length and a soft, rounded finish.
Enjoy whilst young and fresh. This wine is the ideal partner for perfectly roasted pork or steak grilled to your liking.
TECHNICAL:
Variety: Merlot
Alcohol: 14.5%
Total Acidity: 6.5gms/L
Residual Sugar: 2.4gms/L