Description / Reviews
"This single-block wine is sourced from 0.75 ha of 27-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 fruit was entirely destemmed, the ferment occurred spontaneously with ambient yeasts and took place in large-format wooden vat and pumped over and plunged over a 17 day period. Following fermentation, the wine was pressed and racked into French oak barriques and puncheons (14% of which were new) and underwent indigenous malolactic fermentation. The wine was racked only once, with the total maturation period lasting 12 months. It was then bottled without fining or filtration.
The 2023 Haven is deeply expressive, with aromas of red and dark cherry leading the way, supported by notes of forest strawberry, dried brown spice, and a subtle hint of twig. A twist of citrus adds lift and brightness, while understated oak rests quietly in the background, framing the wine with finesse.
The palate is generous and layered, with lashings of red and blue fruit flowing across a silky texture. Tannins are soft and velvety, lending structure without weight, while bright, balanced acidity carries the fruit with clarity. The finish is long and fine, with a gentle dusting of spice and earth, leaving an impression of quiet power and place." - Kooyong Estate
"Medium depth of bright colour, tinged with a good purple rim. The aromas are mineral with dried herb and boronia touches, superbly fragrant, while the palate is medium weighted and intense, with a very attractive complexity of flavours. The back-palate is long and harmonious and it has a lot of charm." - 94 points, Huon Hooke
"Following the theme of lighter-framed reds this vintage, expect lots of raspberry sorbet acidity and finer tannins. Morello cherries, poached rhubarb with lemon, blood orange juice and zest with menthol and alpine herbs. It feels cooling and fresh but needs food to see it at its best." - 93 points, Jane Faulkner
