Tasting Profile
November 2022
This single-block wine is sourced from 0.75 ha of 25-year-old vines within, as the name suggests, the most sheltered of our vineyard sites. The lack of exposure to strong winds allows the vines to keep a rich green canopy until comparatively late in the ripening period and the resulting Haven wines always possess fruit in the more purplish spectrum, with a certain richness and lushness yet a firm underlying tannic structure. The vineyard (6.88 ha in total) comprises seven different parcels, with the same two parcels historically being selected for this wine. The ferment, with a portion of whole bunches, occurred spontaneously with ambient yeasts and took place in large-format wooden and concrete tanks and lasted 17 days. Following fermentation, the wine was pressed and racked into French oak barriques and puncheons (20% of which were new) and underwent indigenous malolactic fermentation. The wine was racked only once, with the total maturation period lasting 14 months. It was then bottled without fining or filtration.
Attractive aromas of red florals, red cherry and berries, and subtle spice characters. The medium-bodied palate of elegant red and purple fruit and floral flavours builds towards a long, fresh finish full of energy, and complemented by a line of tight, chalky tannins. This wine will reward time in the cellar.
13%
Tasting Profile 2021
Tasting Profile 2020
Tasting Profile 2019
Reviews
Wine Pilot, August 2023
Ken Gargett
Notes of undergrowth and red fruits, cherries, bay leaves, and dry herbs. Seamless with ever-so-soft and silky tannins. Serious length here and a glorious palate, never-ending and maintaining the intensity at every stage. Top shelf!
96 points
Halliday Wine Companion, May 2023
Jane Faulkner
One of the lightest Havens both in colour (a translucent yet bright ruby) and flavour, yet plenty to like. Earthy, spicy and peppery with rhubarb and cherries, chinotto and blood orange zest with an alluring Italian bitter herb flavour. Plenty of tannins and acidity taking care of each other and in time, this will mellow well.
93 points
Vinous, May 2023
Angus Hughson
Subtle and complex with layers of fresh raspberry and strawberry with a substantial dusting of herbs and spices. Fine-boned, it delivers refined layers of red berry and rose petals with wafts of charcuterie and spice emerging on a delicately framed finish.
94 points
Wine Front, August 2023
Gary Walsh
Red fruit, a little squishy, almond, mint and cranberry. Medium-bodied, well, light even, fine emery tannin, cranberry, amaro and fresh flavours, with lively finish of good length. Charming. Delicate. Really good.
94 points
The Vintage
The Vineyard
The Kooyong vineyard is located on the Mornington Peninsula at Tuerong, on Miocene sedimentary soils. Our wines are made from domain grown, handpicked grapes and aim to manifest terroir: the integration of our geology and soils with the macroclimate of our region, the mesoclimates of the various sites within our vineyard and the weather of the annual grape growing season. Our cultural operations in the vineyard and practices in the winery endeavour to articulate these unique characteristics diligently, respectfully and without artifice.