Description

96 Points – James Halliday, 96 points, Wine Companion.

“Uses the multiplicity of fermentation techniques loved by Rory Lane. Unsurprisingly, a complex wine, with generous supple black fruits driving the medium to full-bodied palate from the outset, and taking attention away from the vinification. Will be very long lived.” 

The Westgate Vineyard, in the hills south of the town of Great Western in the Grampians, has been consistently and unquestionably the highest quality grape source for the Story Wines over the twelve years I have made wine from the region. In 2014 the vines yielded a meagre tonne and a bit per acre, due to wet and cold early season conditions, so volumes were down, but intensity more than compensated. I split the harvest into 3 batches, some destemmed, some with a small percentage of whole bunches and then a smaller amount fermented as all whole bunches. All were fermented with ambient yeasts. From these three ferments I had ample elements with which to make a final cuvée. The batches were individually matured for twelve months in barrel (a mixture of French puncheons and barriques) before a final best barrel selection was blended and held in tank for a further four months. In 2014 it comprised 60% whole bunches, and approximately 20% new oak. It was then bottled with no fining or filtration. I believe this is the best wine I have made to date, and as such it is the wine I am proud to put my name to. -Rory Lane

About the winery – R. Lane Vintners / The Story 

Winemaker Rory Lane crafts elegant and intriguing wines from a collection of Victoria’s best vineyards. With a passion for the historic Grampians region of Western Victoria, each vintage he creates new expressions of Rhône varieties, along with the region’s iconic old vine Shiraz. Delicious Riesling, Prosecco Col Fondo and the occasional Pinot – he makes them too.