6 Bottles of 2021 'Aviatrix' Cabernet-Shiraz & 6 Bottles of 2021 'Annabelle' Cremant de Rose

This International Women's Day, we're challenging stereotypes with our campaign #womendrinkred. Why should wine promotions at women nearly always be about sparkling, rosé or white. Why should red wine be left out of the celebration? Our Rylstone Estate 'Aviatrix' Cabernet Shiraz, inspired by Amelia Earhart and other female adventurers, embodies the spirit of exploration and courage. It's a tribute to all women who dare to lead and explore.

This is a mixed case (12 bottles) of 6 bottles of Aviatrix and 6 bottles of 'Annabelle' cremant de Rose.

'Aviatrix' - Inspired by the ‘Great Australian Wine Blend’ – Shiraz + Cabernet. When the first Australian winemakers visited France to expand their knowledge, they discovered that often small quantities of Shiraz or Syrah were used in Burgundy and Bordeaux when a vintage was underripe and lacking flavour. With this knowledge, they returned to Australia intentionally seeking to create wines with a blend of Shiraz and Burgundy or Bordeaux varieties. The most famous of these new world wine blends was Penfolds Grange – initially a Shiraz and Cabernet blend. Our intention was to follow these trailblazers and create a similar blend, but this time in a cool climate appellation. The outcome – an elegant yet highly aromatic wine. The logo is designed to pay homage to pioneering female aviators like Amelia Earhart, Baroness Raymonde de Laroche, Nancy-Bird Walton or Katharine Wright. All trailblazers and great role models for everyone – particularly our daughters.

'Annabelle' is from the 3rd generation of De Beaurepaire's at Rylstone. The idea to give both grand daughters a sparkling was decided by their grandparents. Annabelle cremant (French for Sparkling) is inspired by the great sparklings produced in Bordeaux - the most famous of which, Louis Vallon, was awarded Best Wine from all of Bordeaux at the Paris Wine Cup in 2020. It is dry (extra Brut) and with great bead (fizz), but with a touch more flavour than Champagne so it has much more versatility with food matching across fish, lean meats, charcuteries, cheeses and other proteins.

Tasting Notes

'Aviatrix' is a cool climate interpretation of a classic Australian wine blend, with plum black cherry and blackcurrant palate. Hints of spice and black pepper with red fruit aromatics. Rich velvet colour with fine, light tannin structure The wine is surprisingly elegant and nothing like the classic big Australian Cab-Shiraz, with a a beautiful perfume as expected from Shiraz and Cabernet.

'Annabelle' - Well balanced with a crisp acidity, nice delicate length; fruit driven yet savoury and thirst quenchingly dry. On the nose, hints of toast, lime and rose petal leading to vibrant acidity, a creamy texture and notes of fresh strawberry and cherry ripe on the palate.

Wine and Food Matching

Aviatrix - Slow cooked beef cheek and smoked celeriac, BBQ beef short ribs or lamb shoulder with a curry mayo. Think broccoli rabe, grilled radicchio roasted Brussel sprouts and Mash. Baked Cauliflower. Spicy dished will be given an extra zing with this wine.

Annabelle - As an apéritif, or pair with flavoursome cheeses, fresh seafood (sushi, smoked salmon), leaner meats (duck, chicken and pork) and spicy dishes.  Perhaps a vegan soft cheese alternative, seaweed pearl caviar and smokey vegan salmon or a mixed vegetable, sweet chilli and garlic sauce stir-fry served with sticky rice.

Vinification

Aviatrix - The Shiraz was cold soaked for 48 hours to ensure that the Cabernet and Shiraz could be co-fermented. Both varieties were very gently pressed for 24 hours. 15% whole berries in fermenter. Co-Fermentation in potter tanks for 13 days on skins. Pumped over (Remontage) to extract colour and tannin. Juices from the last pressing were not retained. Fined with Vegecoll. Vegan friendly.

Annabelle - The fruit was 100% de-stemmed & very gently pressed to retain premium free-run juice (the cuvée).  Primary fermentation at 15 degrees was conducted in steel tank using native (“wild”) yeasts, delivering beautiful primary fruit characters.  The wine underwent a full malo-lactic fermentation to produce excellent mouthfeel & richness. Very light fining. Secondary fermentation on lees (methode traditionelle) lasted 10 months. 

Aging

Aviatrix - 8 months in 2 to 3-year-old French (Taransaud) barriques. The oak was medium grained and medium toasted and sourced from numerous French forests. The use of smaller barriques enabled more lees contact with the wine. Lees are a protein, so they naturally bond with the wine's tannins, softening it up with the minimum of intervention.

Annabelle - The wine was left on lees for 10 months before disgorgement & completion in May. Dosage 3g/litre.