Description
Sussex Squire The Hungry Sheep Mataro 2020
In 2020 we were unable to source our usual Mataro fruit from the Trillians Vineyard due to the early hot dry conditions taking their toll on the fruit set of this dry grown vineyard which reduced yield significantly. As an alternative we were able to source fruit from an interesting vineyard in Armagh that had younger 12-15yo Mataro vines situated in the Armagh region on a northern slope. Despite the hot start to the growing season this vineyard managed to escape fruit set issues experienced by the Trillians Vineyard. From there a milder ripening period all the way through vintage saw the fruit ripen slowly with lovely elegant fruit showing notes of dark fruits of blackberry, blueberry and plum meshed with coffee and chocolate. Aged in 20% new and 3rd and 4rd use French oak for 14 months to add depth and complexity. The wine shows lovely elegant and delicate fruit notes that hang on the palate and evolve further with food. A wine with good cellaring potential that will develop a lovely silkiness and depth with age.
Food Match: Marinated Short Ribs
Drink Now or Cellar 5- 8yrs
Released Oct 2021 – 195 dozen produced
pH 3.33
TA 6.94
Alc 13.8%
AWARDS
2020 Vintage – SILVER MEDAL – Clare Wine Show 2022
Reviews
90Pts – The Wine Front – Gary Walsh
Twelve year old vines Mataro from a vineyard in Armagh. Aged in 20% new and 3rd and 4rd use French oak for 14 months.
Purple fruit, raisins, a little roast coffee and spice, liquorice and mint. Rich, black fruit and orange zest, fleshy silty tannin, some meaty characters and chicory bitterness, quite fresh in the finish, with orange peel and dried herb. Distinct Mataro character, and pretty good all up. March 2022
