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The MAX V vineyards
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The MAX V Release

Although production is limited, the 2005 MAX V is now
available to all wine
enthusiasts and advocates of small batch winemaking.
Please register your interest
by contacting info@rocwines.com.au
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Carsfield

PETIT VERDOT COMPONENT


Location   Southern Valley of the Clare
Sub Region   Watervale
Variety   Petit Verdot
Approx. Yield   3 to 3.5 tonnes per acre
Property Size   6 Acres
Age of Vines   Petit Verdot vines were first planted in 1997
Soil type / Subsoils   The soils are light sandy loam over soft limestone, shale, clay and bluestone.
Aspect   North Easterly

 

VINEYARD MANAGEMENT


Trellis System   (VSP) Vertical Shoot position with lifting wires
Vine Spacing   Vines are 1.5-1.75 meters apart and 2 meter row spacing set up for mechanical harvesting
Irrigation   The entire vineyard fitted with drip irrigation system. Irrigation is applied only when necessary in order to keep vines functioning at their optimum levels to produce quality grapes.
Hand Pruning   Hand spur pruning with fruit thinning is undertaken in order to reduce the number of buds per vine and keep vines at a premium. Every parcel of Petit Verdot is hand sorted and hand harvested.  
Grape Protection   With the aid of the cool air flows throughout the Clare evenings, allowing for optimal air circulation throughout the vineyard, the block is at minimal risk for frost.

 

GROWERS STATEMENT
The Petit Verdot has been carefully hand selected from various rows across the top and bottom of the block and in particular the bottom which is well protected from the hot summer northerlies. The fruit displays deep dark colour, with intense fruit characteristics and tight acid structure. Of the Petit Verdot produced in the Clare Valley, the Carsfield block displays the required tannin structure and intensity of flavour that will contribute to the depth of the MAX V blend.

KEY FRUIT CHARACTERISTICS – Petit Verdot
This very dark, thick skinned grape produces wines as deep as Shiraz displaying peppery, spicy and fragrant characters. Petit Verdot is totally resistant against botrytis and for this reason it is always harvested last in Medoc and a late ripener. For this reason it is an expensive grape to produce, but for the quality conscious Petit Verdot addition of alcohol, tannin and colour contributes to an extra layer of complexity, depth and length of flavour.