Tim Kirk and Bryan Martin. Both from the Canberra region. Both make shiraz viognier and both have surnames that work equally well as first names. Very suspicious. This wine opened up amazingly perfumed, so much so that it smelt like a dessert wine, but given a day of airing it settled right down and turned into something really good.
Perfumed aromas of dark fruit, cherry, licorice, spice, jasmine and creamy vanilla oak. Initially plenty of apricot and florals but given time the flamboyant viogner influence retreats discreetly into the background. On the palate medium bodied with a mix of red and black fruits, spice, vanilla cream and some meaty savoury flavours. Beautiful smooth fine grained tannins. It feels lively and well balanced with a supple texture. Long spicy stonefruit finish. Lots of charm and complexity. Drink : 2008 - 2016 93 points Gary Walsh, Winorama
Ravensworth wines are grown and produced by Rosehill Vineyards in the cool climate, high country, Canberra District. The 7ha vineyard is situated in the district’s heartland, Murrumbateman; taking advantage of the regions persistent cool nights, dry autumn with moderate harvest temperatures and volcanic, granite soils. Ravensworth production focuses on varieties that suit these continental conditions - mainly Shiraz and Viognier with a strong interest in Sangiovese, Marsanne and Riesling. The wine is made by Bryan Martin, Tim Kirk’s assistant winemaker at Clonakilla, with the same focus on production that has made Clonakilla one of Australia’s most sort after wine: Small batch production, natural fermentation, high quality French coopered oak and skilful blending.
