Australian wines | Beelgara | Products | Rascals Prayer

RASCALS PRAYER CABERNET MERLOT
Deep red with vibrant purple hues. A rich bouquet of plum and blackcurrant with an earthy oak hint. Full flavoured, with ripe plum and berry fruit characters providing a round palate feel. Fruit and oak tannins also contribute to a well balanced wine with good structure and persistent finish.

VINTAGE:2006

VARIETY: Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot

REGION: Riverina and Coonawarra

WINEMAKERS: Rod Hooper, Danny Toaldo, Sean Hampel

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS: Alcohol: 14.0% PH: 3.37 Total Acid: 7.61g/l Residual Sugar: 7.0g/l
Oak Treatment: French Oak

VINIFICATION: The fruit was machine harvested in mid March to ensure the fruit retained its integrity and structure. The fruit was destemmed and crushed to static fermenters where it was immediately inoculated with a yeast strain designed to enhance colour and varietal character. Fermentation progressed for approximately 6 days between 20 - 25°C . Draining and pressing occurred at 1 Be. Primary fermentation concluded in stainless steel with induced malolactic fermentation occurring shortly after. The wine was stabilized at 4°C then racked and coarsely filtered, then aged on French Oak for 10 months. The wine was filtered again and prepared for bottling.

VINTAGE REPORT: The 2006 season started with an early budburst. Seasonal growing conditions were ideal, with spring and summer being relatively dry and cool. Vintage began ten days earlier than last year. Ideal ripening conditions continued with warm days and cool nights and drier than average conditions during March. Crop yields were variable, although generally down on average, and down significantly on last year. The variability in yield and cool weather resulted in a long ripening period for each variety. However, varieties ripened concurrently making a relatively condensed vintage. Fruit condition and quality was generally excellent with the ideal season. High colour levels were found in red varieties.

FOOD RECOMMENDATION: Barbecued lamb brushed with rosemary and garlic will enhance the fuller flavours of this wine.

CELLARING: The ripe fruit characters of this wine are delicious and will be best enjoyed over the next 2 years.

AWARDS TO DATE: Not shown

RASCALS PRAYER OLD VINE SHIRAZ
Deep crimson with vibrant red hues. Generous ripe plum, berry fruit with vanillin oak. This full flavoured Shiraz has plenty of sweet plum, blackberry fruit upfront with integrated oak . The palate is well structured with soft fine tannins and good fruit weight.

VINTAGE: 2006

VARIETY: Old Vine Shiraz

REGION: Riverina

WINEMAKERS: Rod Hooper, Danny Toaldo, Sean Hampel

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS: Alcohol: 14.0% PH: 3.40 Total Acid: 6.53g/l Residual Sugar: 5.4g/l
Oak Treatment: French and American Oak

VINIFICATION: Sourced from vines over 30 years old. The fruit was machined harvested. This was to ensure the fruit retained its integrity and structure. The fruit was then crushed and destemmed into open concrete fermentation vessels with heading down boards. This juice was fermented for seven days with daily pump overs taking place. The wine was then matured in French and American hogshead oak barrels for 12 months.

VINTAGE REPORT: The 2005/2006 season started out with an early budburst. Seasonal growing conditions were ideal, with Spring and Summer being relatively dry and cool. Vintage began ten days earlier than last year. Ideal ripening conditions continued with warm days and cool nights and drier than average conditions during March. Crop yields were variable, although generally down on average, and down significantly on last year. The variability in yield and cool weather resulted in a long ripening period for each variety. However, varieties ripened concurrently making a relatively condensed vintage. Fruit condition and quality was generally excellent with the ideal season. High colour levels were found in red varieties. Disease levels were lower than average.

FOOD RECOMMENDATION: Peppered steak or a rich Italian pasta.

CELLARING: Enjoy now and over the next four years.

AWARDS TO DATE: Not Shown