Tempranillo

Summary: El Cuidador is a personal project between longstanding friends Javier Muria and Nicholas Crampton with the aim to create modern site specific organic and sustainable wines.These wines typify the modern Spanish attitude to winemaking – fresh and vibrant wines made with care and with attention to organic viticulture turning out delicious food friendly reds that are true to their variety.

Vineyards: Sourced from established organic vineyards in the historic Rioja region.

Winemaking: Totally de-stemmed with a short cold soak before a long, cool fermentation with daily pump - overs to achieve optimum fruit and colour. The core of the blend was aged in stainless steel before six months maturation in seasoned French and American oak.

Vintage 2020: A poor start to the growing season saw adverse weather affect the region but luckily this cleared up in the second half of the vintage when cooler temperatures arrived. Three major storms 
including hail threatened to cause widespread mildew to the vines, thankfully warmer weather eradicated 
the threat and an early heatwave prompted earlier than usua lpicking times. Despite the adverse conditions, quality was excellent with great concentration of flavour.

Tasting Note: A textbook Tempranillo that is organic, juicy and full of flavour. Lots of vibrant fruit with
a savoury complexity that makes it super drinkable. It finishes with dusty tannins and cleansing acidity.
Pair with slow roasted lamb shoulder.

Summary: The southern hairy-nose wombat is smaller than other wombats but is stocky, robust and the proud state emblem of South Australia. Like the might of the little wombat, Little Giant is crafted from premium regional South Australian fruit from established vineyards that deliver character and interest well above their size and weight. 

Hand-crafted and made with minimal additions and preservatives, these are wines made of the vineyard. The grapes are picked at optimal ripeness, minimally handled in the winery and fruit vibrancy is not hidden by non-essential artefact. Seeking first and foremost fruit expression, drinkability and to be a great accompaniment to food. Don’t let the size fool you, these are wines you’ll want to drink. 

Winemaking: The Grenache is a blend of two vineyards, one from Rowland Flat and the other from Vine Vale. Rowland Flat provides the structure, Vine Vale on sands provides the aromatics. The Tempranillo is sourced from Light Pass from a 25-year-old vineyard. All of the wine was matured in large oak barrels 500 litre capacity for 15 months prior to being blended and bottled.

Vintage 2022: In 2022 the Barossa experienced outstanding growing conditions. Harvest started approximately 2 weeks later than the past 10 year average with Shiraz being picked mid to late March. A wet spring provided optimal soil moisture throughout the harvest months, spring storms resulted in lower than usual fruit set and although yields were lower the quality was high. Mild summer temperatures facilitated a long and slow ripening period which resulted in optimum colour development and balance between fruit flavour and tannin.

Tasting Note: Fruit forward juicy grenache is complemented by the distinctive tannins of Tempranillo making for a very approachable blend. The two varieties work seamlessly together, the Grenache provides spice and aromatic lift, while the Tempranillo ensures savoury characters and textural complexity to the palate.

Summary: Castilla La Mancha: The vast, high and dry plains of Castilla la Mancha comprise over 50% of Spain’s vineyards. The ancient soils and high altitude ensures the richly flavoured fruit maintains structure and tannin. Vineyards planted on the slopes of mountain ranges in the north and north east add a degree of elegance to the wines.

Winemaking: Totally de-stemmed with a short cold soak before a long, cool fermentation with daily pump - overs to achieve optimum fruit and colour. The core of the blend was aged in stainless steel before six months maturation in seasoned French and American oak.

Vintage 2020: Vintage 2020 in Castilla La Mancha has been described as the best vintage of the past 10 years! The greatest challenge throughout the season was finding enough people to harvest due to the challenges that were faced with COVID 19. Ideal conditions throughout the growing period facilitated perfectly ripe and perfumed reds with balanced tannins.

Tasting Note: A lovely rendition of Tempranillo, bold purple fruits and fragrant floral aromatics. The palate is bright and expressive with a burst of mouth-filling ripe purple and red berries. Textbook varietal flavours of cherry cola and spice flood the palate before smooth tannins and subtle oak provide definition to the impressively long finish. Pair with a roast lamb and patatas bravas

Summary: Of the many dark stories from these troubled times none is more notorious than that of convict Francis Morgan, who was executed on Pinchgut island and his skeleton then left to hang for four years. According to folklore, knowing his fate, Morgan told the hangman he was consoled by what would be his magnificent view of the harbour. Today we’re still obsessed with rum but “harbour views to die for” luckily has quite a different meaning

Tasting Note: Rich and indulgent, this chocolate-infused Tawny harmonises velvety milk chocolate, toffee, and vanilla with the deep, barrel-aged complexity of the wine. Enticing aromas of creamy cocoa, toasted hazelnut, and caramelized sugar rise from the glass, leading into a smooth, full-bodied palate. Each sip reveals layers of milk chocolate truffle, buttery toffee, and oak laced with a hint of rum, offering depth and warmth. The finish is long and lingering, leaving behind delicate notes of cocoa, caramel, and roasted almond.

Summary: Of the many dark stories from these troubled times none is more notorious than that of convict Francis Morgan, who was executed on Pinchgut island and his skeleton then left to hang for four years. According to folklore, knowing his fate, Morgan told the hangman he was consoled by what would be his magnificent view of the harbour. Today we’re still obsessed with rum but “harbour views to die for” luckily has quite a different meaning

Tasting Note: A bold twist on the dark-hearted Pinchgut, this cinnamon-infused spiced rum ignites the senses with intensity, warmth, and intrigue. Aromas of cinnamon sticks, clove, and burnt orange rise from the glass, layered with rich vanilla and caramelised brown sugar. The palate is full and refined, revealing waves of maple, toffee, and nutmeg, all carried by the fiery warmth of cinnamon spice. Mid-palate complexity deepens with oak char and dried fruit, leading to a long, smouldering finish of dark treacle, toasted vanilla, and lingering spice. A fiery indulgence with a bold edge.