2018 Stanton & Killeen The Prince Iberian Blend

The colour of this wine is vibrant cherry red with a purple tinge. The nose opens with bright fresh fruit and exotic perfumes moving to herbs and spices. On the palate, it's medium body opens with intriguing nose of fresh fruits and exotic perfume. The palate has layers of complexity with cherry and wild berry flavours, finishing long with silky tannins.

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Vinification

The later-ripening Portuguese varieties were co-fermented to add complexity to the nose and palate. After previous trials, we believe this method (as opposed to blending) produces a more integrated wine. The wine was fermented in our open-top vats with hand-plunging and then transferred to 35% new and 65% one and two year old French puncheons for 11 months maturation. The larger barrel size and a long slow toast regime deliver a subtle spiciness that marries beautifully with the richness of the fruit. We also added some Touriga and Tinto Roriz that had been fermented separately to add complexity to the final blend.

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Recommendation

Enjoy with grilled meats or vegetables as well as high quality, delicate choices like eye fillet or cutlets. Superb with seafood paella or a charcuterie board.

It is incredibly fresh and floral as a young wine but will develop further complexity with careful cellaring up to 2028.