ILLUSTRIOUS 2022 Sangiovese

The Shays Flat vineyard is an iconic part of the LATTAvino journey, its were the story for this little negociant wine project all started. Way back in 2007 I was working vintage in the pyrenees where some Sangiovese arrived in the winery for processing, it was from the Landsborough Valley a place mostly know for shiraz. I’d only ever really worked closely with Pinot Noir & Chardonnay from our own vineyard Eastern Peake, so it was a real pleasure to see this beautiful fruit, so different so interesting.
In 2010 I reached out to see if I could buy a little of this Sangiovese which was now owned by Chapouiter and farmed organically, I continued to work with the site bootlegging the wines off to friends & family when the decision was made to get a lot more serious. 2013 was the linchpin vintage to Launch the Latta Label with this Sangiovese & a collection of other single site wines. A revolution was taking place within the wine industry to move away from conventional farming & using less in the cellar, fresh eyes & warm hearts I was totally all in on becoming part of the movement.
 
 
The vineyard is located at Shays Flat in the Western end of the Victorian Pyrenees ranges, deep in the Landsborough Valley the site sits at 350m altitude on an east facing ridge with the southern foothills of the valley making way for a natural amphitheatre.
1.5 hectares of Sangiovese was planted in early 2000 on deep red soils containing a mixture of shattered quartz, schist, ironstone & rich clays. Cool diurnal nights from the continental climate allow a long ripening period holding perfect acidity, gentle sugar development & complex flavour profile.
 
Destemmed over 10% whole bunch, pump over twice a day, 2 weeks in Open concrete fermenters, basket pressed, Elevage in 500L puncheons & 228L. A very long Malo lactic fermentation took 12 months to complete.indigenous yeasts, estate bottled after 6 months in tank (two Winters to relax) small amount of sulphur. This has been a dream to produce, drinking so well right now but will cellar for many yrs ahead.