Our first experimentation with Zinfandel we believe has produced a wonderfully complex wine which displays the true varietal character of the grape. A powerful wine with complex layers of fruit and hints of savoury oak following 18 months maturation in new and older American oak.

VINEYARD

Predominantly Langhorne Creek, harvested on 14 April 2006 at an average of 16º Baumé.

WINEMAKERS' NOTES

Colour: Brick red.

Nose: Mixed spice and dark fruit cake.

Palate: Full-bodied, with flavours of Christmas pudding and plum fruit, and hints of savoury oak.

Food: Rich foods with spices.

Cellaring: 5-10 years.

Winemakers: Ray Klavins & Stephen Stafford-Brookes

ANALYSIS

pH: 3.56
Total acidity: 6.8 g/L
Alcohol: 15% by volume
FOOD MATCH

Roasted Duck Legs with Eggplant

INGREDIENTS

  • 4 duck legs
  • 1 eggplant (cubed)
  • 1 tspn hoisin sauce
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 1 tsp grated ginger
  • ¼ cup chicken stock
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce

METHOD

Preheat oven to 200. Slash duck legs through the thighs in two places. Rub legs with a mix of the hoisin and the oil. Placed in an oiled baking dish with 2 cloves of the garlic (unpeeled, but flattened with the back of a knife). Roast 1 hour. Turn every 20 mins. Pour away fat when you turn the legs.

Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a frypan, add ginger and rest of garlic (chopped) with the eggplant and brown well. Lower heat, pour in stock and soy sauce. Cook covered for 5 mins until tender.

Serve with the duck. Grind black pepper over the lot.

OR

Try a soft goats cheese or White Castello with peppercorns.

MEDIA REVIEWS

COMPLEX: Penna Lane 2006 The Willsmore Zinfandel

... a mix of super-sweet, raisiny, tarry, cakey fruit flavour combined with herbal, sappy, woody elements — and the mix is quite successful. There's a soft, low-level sense of tannin structure and quite a deal of welcome acidity. In all, it's a good, warm-harted, complex wine. Drink: 2008-2013. 90 points. SEE CLIPPING

Campbell Mattinson, www.winefront.com.au, 20 May 2008