Technical Notes
2010 was another exceptional vintage from the premium, southern grape growing regions of Western Australia. Winter rainfall was close to the long term average. The growing and ripening seasons, while largely warm and dry were punctuated with rains and windy conditions that did affect set and subsequent yields in many varieties. Warm, dry weather from late summer to mid-autumn delivered even ripening for the harvest. This mild end to the season allowed all varieties to ripen perfectly with high natural acidity, fine fruit structure and silky tannins.
Tasting Notes
The 2010 MadFish Carnelian has an inky power with an extraordinary depth of purple colour. The intriguing nose flags the grunt and power of Carnelian; ripe, dark fruits including blackberries and plums, spices and dark chocolate with distinct tarry notes round out the aromas.
This wine grabs your palate from the first sip; warm, ripe and rich with juicy and concentrated berry jam thickness. Powerful fine grained tannins provide structure to the palate which is balanced to the end with juicy acid and a firm powdery finish. A big, big wine, very intense in character and concentration, well suited to rich food such as rare red meats.
Cellaring
The boundless fruit weight of the 2010 Carnelian makes this wine very drinkable now. With ample tannin to match this fruit concentration, the wine will cellar for a period of 5 to 10 years.